The Rep 28 July 2017.compressed

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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 28 July 2017 EDITORIAL OPINION Who are our p o l i t i c i a n s? WHY would anyone want to become a politician? If you have never thought about it, the current political landscape in South Africa and the shenanigans which form part of the parliamentary discourse on a regular basis could force you to consider the thought. Is it for power? Is it for the money? Could it be for the altruism associated with the opportunity of serving one’s people? Or a deep sense of loyalty and patriotism towards a country and the will to make it bet ter? Cynicism when it comes to politicians and their role in society is increasingly evident. People are losing faith in promises, many of which are not fulfilled, but delivered with intensity on political platforms. People are losing respect for politicians who become involved in physical fights over parliamentary benches or who become involved in mudslinging matches on social media. Some are dying for political positions – quite literally so – in South Africa. People are being killed by those in search of lucrative jobs while those in positions of power use these to accrue wealth. A generalisation? Absolutely. There are many politicians who strive to serve to the best of their ability, but these are often not the ones who make the media headlines. The ones who do are mostly those who speak the language of hate and discord or who shout the loudest or who dress the best. Thus, politics for all the wrong reasons. Why embark on a career in politics which is fraught with perception and expectation, often beyond what a mere mortal can deliver? I would like to think, possibly naively so, that politicians start off with empathy and passion. Some go wrong along the way and are blinded by greed. Others may become frustrated with a lack of progress and become radical, doing whatever they feel they need to do to effect change, but often without bearing the brunt of their actions. I still have faith in many of South Africa’s politicians and their motives. I still believe – or want to believe – that the majority of politicians are in it, not for themselves, but for us all. That is possibly why the recent calls for action against anyone found to be involved in state capture, as has been widely claimed over the past few months, can be seen as positive. If these calls are made for the benefit of the country as a whole, and not for the careers of a few, then politics in our country still has a chance in the hands of good men and women. I hope so. Do not turn away HOW many of you turn away as soon as you see an article or hear news on the radio or watch news on television about the Guptas, state capture and corruption? How many say, “Here we go again” when they hear of a politically-motivated killing and any such-related act of violence? The Gupta e-mail leaks have been a treasure trove of filth and insidious skullduggery going on in the political corridors and state-owned enterprises. Not a day goes by without further revelations that show the depth of the rot. This weekend another of the many politically m ot i vat e d a s s a s s i n at i o n victims, R ay m o n d Mhlaba Municipalit y speaker Thozama Njobe, will be laid to rest in Alice. She was aware that her life was in danger and, despite this, went about her job in the best way possible. This and many other similar funerals have become the norm across the country and by the looks of things, the bad guys will not give up without a fight. Hounded ANC MP Dr Makhosi Khoza has had to resort to having bodyguards and has not slept in her home for a while because of threats to her life. Her crime has been calling for the leader of her party and president of the country, Jacob Zuma, to resign and for speaker Baleka Mbete to allow a secret ballot during the noconfidence vote against Zuma. Her party has swiftly instituted disciplinary proceedings against her, charging her with “illdiscipline”. The hearing is scheduled for September 10. Who knew they could act so swiftly when it came to things like these? Rule 25 in the constitution of the ANC deals with “management of organisational discipline”. 25.6 Disciplinary proceedings against a member shall not: 25.6.1 Be used as a means of stifling debate or denying members their basic democratic rights. The ANC has its work cut out to convince us that this action against Khoza does not do exactly IN TOUCH ... with Phumelele P Hlati this. They practically threw the whole of Rule 25 at her. She must have struck a ner ve. I wonder if she would be the only person to fall foul of the myriad sub sections of this rule if they were really interested in maintaining discipline? What does all this do to the psyche of our nation? It has the effect of demoralising the populace, numbing people to the extent that when further revelations are made, people will shrug their shoulders and move on. “Scandal fatigue” from the populace is expected and, as a result, the perpetrators become more brazen. This stems from the belief that nothing will happen to them and that people will all soon tire and move on until another scandal breaks. We dare not. SERENE SETTING: This photo ‘Simplicit y’, taken at the Queenstown Golf Club, earned Terry-Lynn Burmeister of Komani a place in the top three in this week’s edition of the Rep’s photo competition with main sponsors Orms, Magers Pharmacy and Queen Motor Spares FACE 2 FA C E Question: Why this particular profession? Answer: I love helping people and like working with them. Q: What part of your career do you enjoy the most? A: It would be interacting with different people every day. Q: What type of challenges do you face on a daily basis? A: Punctuality. I lack in terms of time management. Q: What motivates you to wake up in the morning and chase your d r e a m s? A: Making a difference in someone’s life. Q: What makes you angr y? A: Not being able to reach my expectations. Q: What is that one thing you cannot leave the house without? A: My cell phone. Q: What is that one thing you do everyday? A: I go to the gym. Q: What do you think is the biggest problem the country is facing? A: It would be corruption, poverty and the lack of employment. Q: What do you like about Komani? A: It is developing every d ay. Q: Do you think South Africa is ready for a young president, why? A: It does not necessarily need to be a young president, but someone who can take our country to the next level. YOUR VOICE ... vox pops on the street What do you think about ... SISISA ROTO DIANE COETZEE ASHWALD BENNETT RONALDO BENNETT AS South Africa steams ahead into the remaining five months of 2017, The Rep intern Sivenathi Gosa went out into the streets to ask locals which of their resolutions they have managed to keep – and which they still want to achieve. Thandiswa Nogqala from King William’s Town I have fulfilled my resolutions, which was to lose weight and to get a job. Sisisa Roto from Mlungisi I wanted to renovate my THANDISWA NOGQALA home, but have been unable to do so due to financial constraints. The resolution that I am proud of is settling my debt with N S FA S . Diane Coetzee from Ko m a n i My new year’s resolution was to lose weight and to stop smoking, but I have not succeeded in either of those. Ashwald Bennett from Ko m a n i I accomplished some of my resolutions such as playing for two local sports clubs - rugby and soccer. I have even won some awards for being part of these teams. My other resolution was to get a job which I have With pathology driver Bulelani Jola Zanempi LULEKA SKADE achieved. Ronaldo Bennett from Ko m a n i I have fulfilled my resolution to get a job. I am in the medical profession. My other resolutions are still pending, but my main goal in life is to make a difference in the communit y. Luleka Skade from King William’s Town I have lost weight and I have a stable job, so I would like to believe that I have accomplished some of my resolutions.
THE REPRESENTATIVE 28 July 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 Travel costs a nightmare DEVELOPMENT IS NEEDED: I feel sorry for the people from the villages in the Hewu area who have to travel so many kilometres on very bad gravel roads to Whittlesea for shopping. Our small town is so unfortunate and development is something foreign to this area. Sometimes you have to travel to Komani from Whittlesea, paying a R60 return taxi fare just to go to the bank to deposit R50 for someone or to make inquiries. Why can we not have banks in Whittlesea? It is time for the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality to attract investors to Whittlesea as we are tired of spending a lot on transport to Komani. 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 Rise up and be a man H A P PY birthday wishes are extended to Melissa Krummeck (today), Debbie Naidoo (July 29), Patrick Masebeni (July 30), Marlene Vlok (August 1), Sandra Venter and Karin Schonken (August 3), Charwin Knoetze, Ronnie Hayes, Tracy Wormald, Ulrich Coetzer, Charmaine Bekker, Wose Vanqa SABELO Peter of Komani June/July and personally discover what it is and Marietta van den Berg (August 4), Ryan writes: Across all races, men November/December by to be a man in this generation. Weakley, Natasha van der Westhuyzen, Candice and women are longing for the 16-year-old boys shouting True men must “come out of van Heerden, Cameron Baxter and Andrew calibre of man that is about going to initiation the closet” to define manhood Hartley (August 5), Michael Lemmer, Luciane Beukes, Brenisha Adolph, Lizette Potgieter and responsible, accountable and school, “Ndizoba yindoda” (I for the next generation of Tobeka Sihlahla (August 6), Sharon Kreidemann, purpose-driven. Unfortunately, am going to be a man) without young men in our communities Pearl Volker, Helen Wiggill, Gail Heidemann, in modern times, the the proper guidance, and to give the correct Jenny Coetzer, Kaydee Hare and Monique Grobler stereotype of the tough stud, introduction before, during and perspective of manhood from (August 7), Minna Schnehage (August 8), tall, dark and handsome with a after the journey to manhood. I the spiritual perspective to the Jeannette Theron, Johan Reinecke, Nothemba six pack, are among other am sorry, my African brothers, traditional point of view. Mjekula, Noleen van Rooyen, Theresa Stander, shallow descriptions of what a something is not right here. This comes at a time when Asange Voorslag and Shane van Schoor (August real man should look like and Maybe it’s time for men to some of our brothers, uncles 9), Rose Taylor, Debbie Sparks, Namhla Mdleleni and Bobby Lottering (August 10), Natasha van be like. take their positions, to arise and fathers, even some of our Pletzen, Keith Faltain and Marius Goosen (August These are all external and to define themselves, what elders, are exhausting the 11). features and temporal and should be said about them. dignity of manhood. BELATED birthday wishes go to Wayne van artificial misrepresentations. I What makes a real man A new breed of men must Straaten and Michelle Smuts (July 24) and am sure I speak for most men instead of being defined by ascend and take a stand by Malika Addi and Judy Conroy (July 25). and women out there when I society or the media. defending why we were JEANNE Bowes is home again after another spell say I am not impressed by the I strongly believe it is divinely designed to be men in in the theatre and on a drip in an East London hype around imigidi in important for a man to the first place. hospital where she had further treatment to her legs after being bitten by dogs in Reservoir Road. Issie Reynierse underwent further surgery in Bloemfontein and although doctors are pleased with her progress, she will not be allowed home for a while. Mike Gouveia is having his ankle attended to in Pretoria, but it will be a long process. CONDOLENCES are extended to the family and friends of the late Ivan Sondlo, Alexander Hobo, James Brown, Lindile Ngoma, Diane Shuman, Thembile Ndoyiya, Sango Mbishe and Monica van C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S : Eyk. Susan Nel, left, the SCHOOLS are back in full swing after a lovely winner of the first break. Best of luck to the pupils, teachers and week of The Rep parents. p h ot o g r a p h i c competition, is JULIAN and Michelle Thompson are back after a stunning walk on the Wild Coast, known as the congratulated by Wild Coast Meander, with family and friends. journalist Simtembile Mgidi HAPPY Wo m e n ’s Day to all the amazing women Picture: SIVENATHI GOSA out there on Wednesday August 9. Prepare to have some fun! Super Rugby must THANK YOU: M-Square Glass and Aluminium of Komani supported The Rep in the outreach to three families during the 67 Minutes for Madiba campaign last week with, from left, Marceilles Stellenberg, Marco McDonald and Pule Pahlani dropping off a donation of vegetables. Other businesses which must be thanked for their support of The Rep’s initiative were Megasave and Pick n Pay at The Mall Picture: SONJA RAASCH SHOOTING STAR: The winner of the second week of The Rep’s p h ot o g r a p h i c competition, with main sponsors Orms, Magers Pharmacy and Queen Motor Spares, was Heidi Nel, left, who was congratulated by Dieter Kleinsmith from The Rep Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA have fairer format WEZA of Komani writes: The Super Rugby competition was previously regarded as the best rugby competition in the world after the Union and League Rugby World Cups. It was comprised of 15 teams and was played on a round-robin basis. The top-placed teams vied for the Super Rugby champion title, but ever since the introduction of the conference system it has become skewed. According to this system, the top team of each conference automatically qualifies for the playoffs. The problem is that the top team in a particular conference may have fewer points on the log than 2nd and 3rd placed teams in another conference. The teams thus proceeding to the playoffs need not necessarily be the top performing teams – a skewed system indeed! Hopefully the competition will have another, better format in 2018.
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