We are fools perishing together under the ANC
Press freedom, government transparency and accountability, as enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution, are key elements in any working liberal constitutional democracy. But they came under serious threat on Tuesday November 22, when the National Assembly passed the Protection of State Information Bill.
Even the ruling party’s alliance partner, Cosatu, has expressed its opposition to this draconian Bill, especially in its present form. It is clear that the ruling party is seriously threatened by press freedom. We are aware of the rampant corruption in the ANC, which we would not have known about had it not been for investigative journalism.
The Bill has not yet been finalised. It must go to the National Council of Provinces before being referred to the president for final approval. We are glad that the official opposition has indicated that it will take the matter to the Constitutional Court. — Ofentse Mokae
Our government is unfortunately led by semi-blind mice who do not see beyond their eyelids. The public outcry against the Information Bill was loud enough to make Cabinet reconsider but, alas, the ANC abused its majority in Parliament and passed the Bill.
The gagging of the media will have repercussions too ghastly to contemplate. What we have to do to make the ANC heed sensible advice is honestly beyond me. We are, in Martin Luther King Jr’s words, perishing together as fools under the ANC.
It is beyond our control — in a so-called democracy, covering up for corrupt ministers who are fired only to become absentee MPs feeding, while grunting like pigs, on our taxes, and with their filthy fingers in government tenders. Disgusting!
Looting of the public purse is destroying what could have been the best African democracy after the many failed African governments that have destroyed African economies. — Teboho Ndlovu, Soweto
If government legislation makes it no longer a good use of my money to subscribe to the Mail & Guardian, I will just have to use that money to support WikiLeaks. — Michael Rolfe, Rondebosch
Some of our leaders seem to be running out of ideas about governing this country. In Nelson Mandela’s time, the ruling party was united; now everybody is fighting for each other’s position. Some, instead of giving first priority to the poor, put themselves and their families first. Now they are bringing in laws reminiscent of old apartheid laws.
So what was the purpose of the struggle? It is clear now that Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Govan Mbeki, Albert Luthuli and other great leaders wasted their time fighting for the liberation of this country if all they did was pave the way for our leaders to enrich themselves through corruption.
We need a new leader to be appointed in Mangaung, one who has the interest of the people at heart, not a person who abuses money to build himself bunkers. — Sipho Vilakazi, Dennilton, Mpumalanga
The article “Actually, minister, you got it wrong” (November 25) undermined the valid arguments against the secrecy Bill by claiming that countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom actually have progressive legislation. This is foolhardy. The US has passed some fearsome legislation, such as the so-called Patriot Act, that gives the state great powers to violate individual privacy. Would we be happy with that here just because the US has done it? There are many good reasons to oppose the secrecy Bill without resorting to obsequious references to Western countries. — Sean Muller, Cape Town
Time to bottle money-spinning water business
Jeff Rudin’s article “Put a cap on capitalism” (November 11) elicited a response (“Bottled water has its place”, November 25) that did nothing but prove his point.
He showed how the capitalist system takes something that is readily available and spends resources — vast unnecessary packaging and brainwashing adverts — creating a product that makes an enormous profit while polluting the environment.
Then a local bottled-water industry representative defends the highly profitable business by arguing that a product such as Coke is even worse in terms of its environmental impact.
How ridiculous. Other bottled beverages also require critique. In this case, what bottled water needs to be compared with is the safe and free unbottled water that exists in our metros and many large towns where, for irrational reasons, far too many people buy bottled water.
The marketing of bottled water has certainly been successful. Why am I faced by bottled water at every conference centre? The next two weeks will be a “greenwash” at the International Convention Centre here in Durban, where typically, thousands of bottles of water are provided daily. Why don’t we return to providing water fountains and ensuring they are in public places?
Bottling water and other products will change only when people are mobilised to demand that it stops or when the government intervenes. Many forward-thinking jurisdictions all over the world have banned bottled water or at least prohibited public funds from being spent to promote it.
Our leaders look likely to fail us once again at COP17. We need to focus on the local and plot our future, beginning with honest reflection on the need to cap capitalism. — Mary Galvin, Umphilo waManzi
The vital point made by Rudin, that “some products are inherently incompatible with a world endangered by climate change”, warrants careful consideration. We agree with Rudin’s assertion that bottled water is “an example of a product that is inherently irrational”.
How, in a country where so many people still do not have access to clean, affordable and sufficient water, do many South Africans feel okay about spending between 500 and 1 000 times the cost of tap water on the bottled version? This country consumed 260-million litres of bottled water in 2006.
From an environmental point of view, tap water is far preferable to bottled water as a beverage. If you have health concerns about tap water, install a simple water filter or simply leave your glass of tap water on the counter for a few minutes (chlorine evaporates at room temperature).
Yes, water is a vital component of the human diet but, in South Africa, bottled water is not.
Protecting and valuing natural water resources for our collective long-term water security is critical. We commend Rudin on his thought-provoking article and urge readers to consider the gist of what he has to say. — Brenda Martin, Stephen Davis and Robert Fischer, Project 90 by 2030
Official response on Burma ambassador revealing
Prior to the publication of “Burma ambassador’s questionable past” (November 4), neither the department of international relations and co-operation nor Burma’s embassy responded to queries.
Now, department spokesperson Clayson Monyela (“Ambassador’s credentials don’t contain biographical data”, November 18) states: “Inquiries at the time of his nomination turned up no adverse information.” This implies that, there now is adverse information and suggests that he is indeed the brigadier general in question and that, had the department known about this at the time of his appointment, it may have decided otherwise.
Of course, there are “no pending criminal charges against him”. His own masters wouldn’t investigate him because he would have been doing their bidding. The sole external body that could prosecute him is the International Criminal Court (ICC), but Burma is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, so ICC prosecutors can take on a Burma case only if it is referred by the United Nations Security Council.
Many South Africans would feel uncomfortable treating with respect someone with a murky background that might include “extrajudicial and arbitrary executions (not sparing women and children), rape, torture, inhuman treatment, forced labour and denial of freedom of movement”, to quote Rajsoomer Lallah, UN special rapporteur for Burma. — David P Kramer, Free Burma Campaign (South Africa)
Mac scores own goal
Mac Maharaj epitomises the attitude of politicians towards the media, the judiciary, a robust civil society and progressive parties who are calling for the movement of Chief Albert Luthuli and Oliver Tambo to return to its revolutionary morality.
In 2003, Maharaj did not object to City Press publishing his interview with the Scorpions. Now that the Mail & Guardian wants to prove he lied to the Scorpions, he wants to lock up journalists for possessing information he didn’t object to being published in 2003.
The Jacob Zuma administration is increasing its offensive against the media and judiciary to hide corruption from us. We dare not retreat in our lifetime. — Albertinah Nomzamo Dlamini, Butterworth
Maharaj’s fight against certain newspapers is like a soccer match between a defensive team against a dribbling one. The newspapers are skilfully dribbling and have scored many goals in spite of Maharaj’s “solid defence”.
Clearly, Maharaj did not object to the City Press publishing half truths and half lies because it suited him. Maharaj now resorts to media-bashing and distortion. A president’s spokesperson should be a reliable truth teller and should never attract negative publicity. Zuma must do to him as he did to Siphiwe Nyanda, Sicelo Shiceka, Bheki Cele and Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde. — Kenneth Ntola, Durban
Stern story misleading
The University of Cape Town wishes to set the record straight on the connection between the Irma Stern Museum and the painting Arab Priest (“Irma Stern export ban challenged”, November 11). This artwork was never on permanent loan to the Irma Stern Museum, as some reports have claimed. Nor was the sale of the painting a result of the museum’s ability or inability to insure the artwork. The painting was not insured by UCT or the Irma Stern Trust at the time it was withdrawn for sale, nor was there any agreement with the owner to provide insurance. The museum and UCT have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to display this work and we thank the previous owner for this privilege. — Gerda Kruger, executive director: communications & marketing department, UCT
Thanks for Kota
I was inspired by reading Ayanda Kota’s article “Bill shows ANC’s historic mission is over” (November 25). It confirmed that there are many people in this country whom the ANC regards as the “masses” who will simply vote for them out of blind loyalty, but who in fact have a very clear grasp of just how wayward and morally bankrupt the ANC has become.
Kota’s article contained more intellect and clear thinking than one hears spewing forth from our so-called politicians daily. When South Africa experiences its “Tunisia moment”, there should be no surprise in the grubby, corrupt and rotten ranks of the ANC. — Tim Elliott
To equate demonstrations in democracies with the Arab revolutions in North Africa, as Kota does, and to recommend that we follow the Arab route surely represents a failure of ordinary common sense. The Arabs are struggling for democracy, for the vote. We have democracy and we have the vote. To fail to use the vote to throw a putrid government out of office is the real betrayal of our struggle. — Oliver Price, Cape Town