Jacob Zuma will serve for the next term



REIGNING MAN: President Jacob Zuma will remain
president for the next 5 years. source: www.iol.co.za 



President Jacob Zuma gets second term, to actually serve for the next five years as the president of this country. So by the looks of it, Zuma might get a second term as other candidates my feel intimidated to challenge him for the presidency, because of his supporters.  But then again there is hope; delegates are not sheep. I don't believe there is homogeneity in province voting behaviour; although I know it tends to be very tribal with Eastern Cape (EC) Xhosa's opposing Zuma and Kwa Zulu Natal (KZN) Zulus strongly supporting Zuma.  Zuma getting a second term might be good for provinces such as KZN, being built on his second term in office; the African National Congress (ANC) will suffer a great deal. Already, the ANC support in some provinces, like the Northern Cape and North West is not good at all. With some Metros and Municipalities just a few digits away from being taken by the opposition party, Zuma is really a strong man I must say.

Remember, Zuma has faced many challenges through his succession as the president of the nation. Let us look at the short summary at Zuma's journey since 2005 till today:

• In 2005 Thabo Mbeki removed Jacob Zuma from his post as Deputy President of South Africa, after Zuma was implicated in a corruption scandal and charges of rape. In October 2005, some supporters of Zuma  burned T-shirts portraying Mbeki's picture at a protest.
• In 2006 Jacob Zuma went on trial for allegedly raping an HIV-positive woman. He argued that she had consented to sex and he was eventually found not guilty.  There was visible split between Zuma's supporters and Mbeki's allies in the ANC. But Zuma surfaced stronger.
• On 20 September 2008, Thabo Mbeki announced his resignation after being recalled by the African National Congress's National Executive Committee, following a conclusion by Judge Nicholson of improper interference in the National Prosecuting Authority including the prosecution of Jacob Zuma for corruption.
• On 12 January 2009, the Supreme Court of Appeal unanimously overturned Judge Nicholson’s judgement but the resignation stood.

Today, that man is our president and still going to reign for the next 5 years. There's very little tolerance in the ANC for two centres of power. We've seen that with the removal of [former president] Thabo Mbeki. I would not give any credence to these reports, more so because they are from so called unnamed sources," she said. This could be their way of accommodating Zuma, given that they can't discount the fact that he has considerable support if not majority support in the party. The media has played its role in exposing what Zuma is doing and his corruption endeavours.With all the scandals, this man has faced, such as being called a man who has a shocking reputation for polygamy, misogyny and promiscuity, and who has been made to answer many uncomfortable questions about rape previously.  The communication practitioners of the ANC and for the presidency are really good at managing people's perceptions.

What is your take on this matter? Should this man serve another term as the president or get dethroned?

Is Julius Malema a threat to peace and stability for SA?

African National Congress (ANC)  spokesperson Jackson Mthembu  warned any ANC leaders who might be contemplating support of the expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, who faces charges of money-laundering by saying "he is too factious and thinks he is everything. He might support a leader now, but he will do a complete about-face within three years,". But the big question here is that; is Malema a threat to peace and stability of this country? One thing for sure is that this man deserves whatever comes his way because of his discourteous behaviour, especially by targeting the President of the nation, Jacob Zuma. Many people do not agree with Zuma's way of ruling the country, but after all I still think that he needs to be treated with respect. Now, it is the time we as the public must start to question about the nature of Malema's motives, whether it is to bring ANC down and its leaders or advocating for people. But, if if it is advocate for people by fighting the corruption endeavours that officials commit every now and then, why now? Julius Malema has failed us as a nation and there is not way he is going to restore his tarnished image to the public. He never cease to amaze, recently he claimed that he is an assassination target and that Zuma wants to kill him. (read more)



NOT AFRAID: Julius Malema claims that he is not
afraid of nonsense or intimidated by anyone.
source: www.timeslive.co.za

What does this reflect back to the media and to the public? To me, it feels like he is the biggest threat to the constitution of South Africa. ANC leaders fear for their lives, because of Malema's convictions. This is like the officials are faced with a dilemma and have no way to walk out or try to let Malema down. So I ask again, can he mobilise support against the state? The irony of his imminent arrest is not lost on the nonpartisan, although allegations of corruption may catapult one to the presidency of the ANC and of the country. While the nonpartisan can be found on both sides of the Malema argument, the partisan come in two varieties. There are those who believe that the president and his lieutenants are using state institutions against political enemies. The second variety does not need evidence of Malema’s guilt. I am of the variety that is convinced that some manipulation of state institutions did occur in the last few years leading up to the installation of Zuma as head of state, dethroning Thabo Mbeki.  Zuma had the capacity to mobilise against the state and his political enemies in the ANC. So, does Malema have the same capacity? We’ll see, what do you think?

Unconstitutional diployment of soldiers in South Africa

The deployment of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) inside the country over the next four months by President Jacob Zuma is unconstitutional. The notice on the deployment was too vague. when the presidency said earlier in the day it had authorised the deployment of soldiers to Marikana, backdated to 14 September, until 31 January next year to help the police fight crime. I mean, military deployment inside South Africa, sounds like Apartheid all over again hence I am saying that, the deployment is simply not in line with the Constitution of South Africa . (read more)



TROOPS ON PARADE: SANDF to be deployed across the country.
Source: www.iafrica.com

Is the President doing this because of the Marikana Massacre? Well, my argument is that, Marikana is stable now, why deploy soldiers after peace agreement was reached or is to prevent Julius Malema to go there? It appears as if the tipping point has been reached in which the momentum of years of ineptitude finally breaks through the thin veneer of civility. Given the projected population growth, the rate of economic development and the crisis in education, it was just a matter of time before the force of the state would be challenged by poverty and inequality. This move by the African National Congress (ANC) is a tacit acknowledgement of their botched attempts at governance,
a loss of administrative control to rampant fraud, the policy failure of cadre deployment, and the inability to develop or govern civil society.
 
With the deployment, in my own opinion I think that the role of PR and communication in this was inform parliament and the general public of the reasons for the deployment of the SANDF. Inform about the locations it would be deployed, the number of members to involved and the period of time the deployment will last. So, it is imperative that the President comply with the Constitution when deploying the defence force. Democratic Alliance (DA) supported the deployment of the SANDF to help when there were "exceptional circumstances" which were beyond the resources of the police. However, we as citizens of this country cannot support the routine deployment of the defence force inside South Africa. This would cause grievance and complaint to people who were once victims of the oppressive apartheid laws. This is a nation where people should live under a safe and free-zone without fear, so these soldiers would complicate so many people's lives. This should not be supported, and South Africans must stand together to fight this. What is your take on the deployment of soldiers to this country by the President? This tells us that the ANC have failed as a government. As this area has become a problem area for Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and ANC support. Are we witnessing an attempt at the restoration of law and order or the intimidation of those trying to organise themselves in opposition to the leadership of the ANC?

Pressure builds up on SA mines

The dethroned African National Congress Youth League leader, Julius Malema addressed thousands of striking mine workers, that the NUM's leaders did not listen to workers' needs and that they are the reason the Makikana massacre occured. Production at the Driefontien gold mine outside Carltonville came to a standstill on Monday, when almost 75% of the workforce went on strike.

They marched to mine management offices and handed over a memorandum of demands which included:

• The removal of the NUM's branch leadership (which was also requested during a sudden strike last week);
• The equalisation of salaries across job categories (an accord for this in principle had been signed); and
• The reinstatement of a number of previously suspended employees

ON TOP OF THE GAME: Malema,
addresses mineworkers, at Rusternburg.
Source: www.iol.co.za

The workers also complained their taxes were too high and demanded a salary of R12 500, echoing the demand of striking workers at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine, near Rustenburg. "It's no secret that President Zuma is being paid to protect the mines. His family trusts are being paid. You can't touch the mines, because Zuma doesn't care about the mine workers. He doesn't care about you. Our leaders are in bed with the capitalists,". I am sure what Malema said has caused a bad perception to the mine workers about the President. As the pressure builds up in South Afrian mines, my question is where does this leave us and our economy?  (read more)
I ask myself if this is the way Malema want to be reinstated if still carries on disrespecting and pointing fingers to the President. Will this make him ressurect and become part of the African National Congress after the expulsion of 5-years from the ANC.
 
How is the government dealing with strikes taking place?




PROPAGANDIST: Julis malema
is a real propagandist who wants
to benefit himself while playing
with people. Source: www.news24.com

The President has described the living and working conditions of Lonmin miners as "terrible", saying that he and the government have the right to criticise the company as it has lagged in its transformation. Answering questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, Mr Zuma said the ANC led government could not be blamed for not delivering housing in the same way as the mining companies could. He said the mines have been operating for centuries in such a manner and there were historical factors to address. (Read more)
Lonmin’s Marikana mine has been in the headlines after protests there turned deadly, living 34 workers dead. This has left so many mineworkers to join forces and stand for what they believe is right for them, the Anglo Platinum workers are also string for the same amount the as the Lomnin's workers. The issue of Marikana has generated a lot of bad publicity, and this where the communication practitioners have to interfere to ease the amount of bad publicity by launching media campaigns that will help balance company's visions and missions so that they keep the reputation and enhance their relationship with their stakeholders, to show that they are still worth of the public support and approval. To maintain a favoured publicity and relationship, techniques of PR should not be abated because they help reshape the company as a brand.

Devastating death of mineworkers due to exploitation

2012 MASSACRE: Its the blood bath, with police killing
people who did nothing wrong expect for fighting for their
rights. Picture Source: www.timeslive.co.za

34 mine workers were brutally killed last week, in Marikana, Rustenburg in the North West, South Africa. The mine workers were the victims of this massacre that occurred due to the strike that the employees of Lomnin recently took, because of the feeling of being exploited. Well, Lomnin is a well known platinum mining company, that bids and produces platinum, but what does this say about their reputation and of the mining industry? What happened in Marikana is just a symbol of exploitation in the mines. Is this because the mine workers are uneducated and that they are perceived as people who are inferior who can stand up for their rights? The law has to take its course on this matter with immediate effect, because if they just going to let this thing blow over, it will show that the South African government does not care about the grievance and the pain that the families of those unfortunate mine workers, had to  die fighting for what they believed was fair to them. The death toll from the week of Marikana violence stood at 44, including the 34 miners and another 10 people who were killed during the protest, including two policemen and two security guards.


BRING HIM BACK: A mother cried over her son's loss, at the
memorial held in Marikana, on Thursday, August 23, 2012.
Picture source: www.timeslive.co.za

The revenue earned by the platinum mine companies is worth billions per annam , but they can't satisfy the needs of their employees. This brings me to a question; what do public relations practitioners do about grievance of employees when they feel that they are exploited and are being taken for granted? Well the last time I checked public relations practitioners or communication managers are the to make sure that the needs of different groups of stakeholders are well taken care of and that there is a mutual understanding between both parties. 29 workers who died are reported to have come from the Eastern Cape, can you imagine the pain their families are going through right now, some of their families will face dire financial constraints, since the food prices are so exorbitant. 



ASTONDANCE: this woman fainted,
at the memorial service , since she is one
of those lost their loved ones in the
massacre. source: www.timeslive.co.za

What is our government to do about this tragic, and what is it that Lomnin going to do to compensate the pain of those families that lost their children while they were only bread-winners to their families, I doubt that there is any amount money that will ever close the big gap of losing a child. Who is to blame about all of this, is it the law or Bheki Cele's 'Shoot to kill'. Regretfully, all the politicians are climbing on the gravy train band waggon and taking this occasion to profit for themselves. Where were they prior to the shooting, did they try to defuse the militant strikers attitudes. Also I query the Bishop's motive in trying blame the mine officials, does he not understand business logic. No profit no mine it is as simple as that. The law must be fair though and Lomnin take a responsibility to look after the families of those who lost their lives, and this incident, reflecting back to Lomnin needs a good PR to convince the public that they are still worth of their support and approval, by so doing this they must prove by taking responsibilities.

Was the law expedient to Bobby Motaung's fraudlent?

BUILD UNDER FRAUD: Mbombela Stadium, in
Mpulanga was built under inequity. Source: www.mahala.co.za

Bobby Motaung and his co-director at Lefika Emerging Equity (Pty) Ltd, Herbert Theledi, looked relaxed as they approached the dock to appear on fraud and theft charges. The released Kaizer Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung and his co-accused director of Lefika Emerging Equity, Herbert Theledi are out of prison on bail of R50 000 each. They have been charged with forgery and fraud relating to the construction of the Mbombela 2010 FIFA World Cup stadium. Lefika allegedly committed fraud in securing the tender to build the stadium.

This is very astounding to see that highly respected aristocrats commits fraud to fulfil their luxury lifestyle. The South African Criminal Law and Procedure: Common-law crimes, a book by John Milton states that "the law must consider fraud and theft cases as a false pretence. The accused's conduct would be justified as a fraud conviction which must then result for a repulsive verdict to his or her conviction, a sentence must be declared to any citizen who is the source of illegal implications." In my professional opinion, I believe that  the law must take its course to anyone who has not adhered to legal practises of a particular country. Despite the fact that the rich or poor person has broke the law, the verdict must favour equally.  This has caused so much controversy, and makes the news because the Mbombela protesters, were dressed in an African National Congress (ANC) T-shirts, chanting a loud rhythm 'Dubula u Bobby' (Shoot Bobby) outside the Nelspruit Regional Court, where Motaung was appearing on charges of fraud. Now that Motaung is a prominent person, it is going to take time to rebuild his reputation and to convince the public that he is worth of their support and approval. This requires a role of a well trained publicist who will positive disseminated information at all costs to the media to reform his image and that people will believe him again, because such things must not be neglected.



FACE THE MUSIC: Accused Kaizer Chiefs Manager, Bobby
Motaung. Source: www.sabc.co.za

Its a good thing that Kaizer Chiefs fans turned out in support of Motaung, after such scandalous and disillusionment behaviour from the person they looked up to. Fraud is an intentional deception resulting in injury to another person or an organisation. What Motaung and his director is unforgivable; he must be prosecuted like any other person who would have committed such a crime. The law is South Africa is not fair, because it favours those who are rich resulting to them not serving their jail time while the other poor citizens, rot in jail certainly for things that they were never guilty of. Do you thing the law is expedient to the riches? Whats your take on this, do you think Motaung and Theledi should be prosecuted?

All eyes are on you, Caster Semenya

LEGENDARY ATHLETE: Caster
Semenya, does what she does
best at the 2012 London Olympics.
Source: www.ibtimes.com

The media-shy 21-year-old, athlete Caster Semenya had little to say about her run on Wednesday . She was third best qualifier behind the current world record holder, Barbara Spotakova, from the Czech Republic, and German Christina Obergfoll, but the 30cm difference between first and third could have been the result of a puff of wind so little can be read into that other than the fact that the leading three qualifiers are likely to fill the podium.The 2009 World Champion did just enough to qualify comfortably for the next round in the women’s 800m.
She did nothing more than what she had to, but to run and make her country proud, which is what millions of South Africans cannot wait to see her on their screens to see what she will do with her speed of the rocket she has. Semenya makes her Olympic debut after gender testing following her victory after 2009 Olympics. For her to come all this way, it shows that she has really got what it takes to be the number one athlete of women's champion. She has come across devasting adversities, ever since her gender controversy. Yesterday she qualified to go run Women's 800m  semi-finals, round 1. Tonight she made it again by coming first on the second round of the semi-finals.
These are there results of Caster Semenya at the Women's 800 m Semifinals

• 08 August - She came second on round 1 at 2:00.71 sec
• 09 August - She came first on round 2 at 1:57.67 sec

STUNNING WIN: Caster Semenya comes first
at Women's 800 m semi-finals at 2012's London
Olympics. Source: www.dailymail.co.uk


 

The Chairperson of African Union (AU), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma commended Caster to go for gold on a statement where she said she was very proud of Semenya's extraordinary success. Long before she made world headlines, Semenya dealt with the gender questions and controversy few years ago, as a small girl growing up in Limpopo. In fact, there are many other women in her shoes. Many women have been brutally attacked for looking like men and raped to see if they will get pregnant. Others have suffered “corrective rape” in an effort to correct their womanliness, especially lesbians, who have also been killed for looking and acting like men. Where is that media coverage?

As an agenda-setter, the media has a duty to portray not just what is, but what could be; to be exemplary in its own practises; and to open debate on the complex issues surrounding gender equality.I am proud to know women of all shapes, sizes, six-packed or not. Caster Semenya, will always be our favourite athlete and we will always appreciate what she does. Now we are looking forward to see her on finals, bringing the 'GOLD' home from the 2012 London Olympics. Caster has pushed herself a lot more to secure her spot to the finals, which will take place on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 9:00 PM, all will be live on SABC 2.