TOTT 22 March 2018

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March 22, 2018
OPINION
The right
to own
proper ty
THE great thing about Human Rights Day
is having the opportunity to reflect on
the everyday rights we tend to overlook.
Former DA councillor and now MP Terri
Stander was very much in touch with the
issue when she organised her annual walk
for human rights in Nemato every year,
which was well supported by all races.
She printed out little tags for walkers or
runners to collect when they passed certain
points, each strip of paper listing one of the
basic human rights our new constitution
affords us.
It’s a pity no one took up this mantle
when Stander moved on and up in the
world.
Put in historical terms, many of the rights
brought to mind are rights that were denied
to the majority of the population under the
apartheid regime, like the right to vote, to
use the same facilities, to have freedom of
movement and association. Thankfully this
all changed, in a piecemeal fashion leading
up to the 1994 elections and then most
dramatically in that year.
We all now enjoy these rights as
enshrined in our constitution since 1996.
That is why it is concerning that the same
liberation movement and now ruling party
that fought so long and hard for these
rights, is now making louder and more
frequent noises about taking away one of
those rights – the right to own property.
There has been much reflection in the
media and civil society since newly elected
President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed that
there will indeed be expropriation without
compensation, and then parliament adopted
a motion to the same effect, affirming the
rhetoric of ANC resolutions at its policy
conference last year.
It was quite a rude awakening for people
who had hoped the new president would be
more reasonable and pragmatic than his
predecessor, and lead his party accordingly.
But no, Ramaphosa is speaking directly to
his base, arousing and inciting the politics
of racial revenge and dispossession.
As has been mentioned by various
commentators, it appears he hopes to take
back ground from the EFF, who have
dominated the conversation about land,
aside from the Gupta-funded Black First
Land First demagogues.
EFF leader Julius Malema has expressed
his party’s willingness to side with ANC on
this matter, and would support changing the
constitution to erode property rights.
Presently, our inclusive property
legislation allows all citizens the freedom to
live and purchase property wherever they
choose. No one may be deprived of property
except in terms of law of general application
(qualifying financially and providing the
correct documents), and no law may permit
arbitrary deprivation of property.
This is what the ANC and EFF want to
smash.
Jon Houzet
JOINING THE FRAY: Excited to be inducted into the Port Alfred Probus Club fold at the club’s latest meeting, held at the Ski-boat Club last Tuesday
were Dave Claase, left, and Mike Soroczynski, right, with club president Doug Sutherland
Picture: ROB KNOWLES
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Delicious fare at Harry B’s
WE WENT to Harry B’s at the Port
Alfred Ski-boat Club for a meal
recently and had the best steak I
have yet had here.
The fish lunch was awesome but
so sad that the people from here
do not support the place. Prices are
excellent and so is the service.
They have a lot of specials and so
much to offer the public.
ANNE TOCKNELL
BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY GIRL: The Red Apple Emporium is a
great place for a kids party, and Karen Jansen van Rensburg, second
from right back, celebrated her 12th birthday there on Saturday with her
friends, from left, Vidu Loubser, Zane Mostert, birthday girl Karen,
Loezytha Janse van Rensburg, Karen’s brother, Bakkies, and, in front,
Janie Loubser
TIE THEM TO THE MAST: The pirates came out in force on Saturday to
help celebrate Michiano Heath’s sixth birthday. From left were Anika du
Toit, Melinda Coltman, Azaria Coltman, Chris Warren, Erich Groenewald,
birthday boy Michiano and, in front, Kyle Smith
CELEBRATORY LUNCH: The Van Rensburg clan all travelled to the Red
Apple Emporium on Saturday to celebrate its first year in business. On
the far left is Oscar Uhlmann, and with him are, from left, young Casper
van Rensburg and his family, younger sister Abigail, mom Kate and dad,
also Casper
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Tide Guide
Kind courtesy-SA Navy
HIGH
0633 1848
0717 1936
0817 2050
0954 2301
1153 –
0046 1312
0144 1405
0228 1448
L OW
0008 1241
0046 1326
0134 1427
0259 1619
0539 1827
0707 1932
0759 2017
0841 2054
Emergency numbers
Port Alfred hospital – (046) 604-4000
Police station – (046) 604-2001/2
Multi-Security – (046) 624-2508
Chubb Security – (046) 624-4810
Sky Alarms – (046) 624-2806
NSRI – 082-990-5971
Electricity (a/h) - (046) 624-1111
EMS (Emergency Medical Services) – 10177
Gardmed –082-759-2134
Holistic EMS – 063-460-0042
Fire Department – (046) 624-1111
WHERE FRIENDS
MEET: The Red
Apple Emporium
celebrated its
first year in
business on
Saturday and
friends, from
left, Lourens
Orsmond, Chris
Reyneke, Monica
Strydom and
Melinda
Orsmond, were
there to enjoy
the celebration
Pictures:
ROB KNOWLES