January 19 to 22 2009

Time to come clean

Now that the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has set aside the controversial judgement of Judge Chris Nicholson, the ball is in Jacob Zuma’s court to take the voters into his confidence by answering the following questions:
What were the purposes of his trips to London and Mauritius with Schabir Shaik, because these trips were not sanctioned by the ANC and government? Why did he object to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) getting hold of Alain Thetard’s diary, which confirms a meeting between him (Zuma), Shaik and Thetard? Zuma also opposed an application by the NPA to investigate off-shore accounts in the United Kingdom.

Zuma must explain to the public why he failed to obey Nelson Mandela’s advice that he (Zuma) and the ANC distance themselves from Shaik.

The ANC president also failed to declare to the South African Revenue Service and Parliament the R4-million he received from Shaik. He must explain to the voters why he hid this loan or gift.

Last, Zuma has to explain to the public why he wants a permanent stay of prosecution if he is innocent. Is it not to his advantage to defend his innocence in court? — Phillip Mhlongo, Newlands West

Following the SCA judgement, the media and its armchair analysts suggest that the decision to recall [Thabo] Mbeki was incorrect or premature.

But on June 14 2005 Mbeki set the precedent when he said in Parliament: ‘I am fully conscious of the fact that the accused in the Schabir Schaik case have given notice of their intention to lodge an appeal. I am equally aware that a superior court may overturn the judgement handed down by Justice Squires. However, as president of the republic I have come to the conclusion that the circumstances dictate that in the interest of the honourable deputy president, the government, our young democratic system and our country, it would be best to release the Honourable Jacob Zuma from his responsibilities as deputy president of the republic and member of the Cabinet.”

Hence, the SCA judgement is insignificant as far as the recall of Mbeki is concerned. He created a precedent that came back to haunt him. Those who own newspapers should have the decency not to omit this information as they continue with their programme to discredit the ANC and its president. – Themba Phakathi, ANCYL member, eThekwini region

I am pleased that for the first time Jacob Zuma spoke loudly against corruption. He must now act decisively against it. Zuma must demonstrate immediately that the ANC is against corruption.

He must tell his side of his story about his relationship with Schabir Shaik, Alain Thetard, Vivian Reddy, Mabheleni Ntuli and Jurgen Kögl. He must publicly denounce the purchase of a R425 000 scanner by the KwaZulu-Natal department of health at R1,5-million, especially because of rumours that some of the R1-million overrun went into the ANC’s coffers.

Zuma must also instruct Sibusiso Ndebele to suspend KwaZulu-Natal provincial minister for health Peggy Nkonyeni. If the ANC is determined to remove Jackie Selebi before he is found guilty, the same determination is required in the case of Nkonyeni.

Come on, ANC — you are handicapped in the fight against corruption. A thief cannot catch another thief. — Langa Masondo, Pietermaritzburg

The recent judgement by the SCA in the Zuma matter is a breath of fresh air. Zuma has been dodging his day in court. The opportunity once again presents itself and it would be regrettable if he employs more delaying tactics to buy time until he becomes the country’s president, should the ANC win the elections.

The judgement also exposed the ANC for being petty by trying to settle political scores using state resources. Now that the Nicholson judgement they capitalised on has been overturned, the least they can do is apologise to Mbeki and his former Cabinet. — Nhlanhla Ndwandwe, Richards Bay

A taste of Cuba

Brent Meersman’s article ‘Cuban not Cuba” (Friday, December 19) goes well beyond a personal opinion, to show ignorance about Cuban cuisine, traditions and culture. To say ‘Cuban cuisine is a myth” goes beyond a critical opinion. It becomes a disrespectful statement about a country.

Cuban cuisine is a subtle mix of products and ways of cooking imported by immigrants: French, Spanish, American, Chinese and African. It is the product of the encounter between European colonialists and indigenous and African slaves. It is a bountiful and creative cuisine, with infinite variations in form and basic ingredients.

It is true that, because of the hardships Cuba has faced and the lack of some supplies, we have been forced to change our way of cooking, but that has brought out an innovative style.

Most of the dishes recommended by Meersman are not part of Cuban cuisine. We do not eat chilli peppers or jalapeños — hot or very spicy food is not part of our tradition. Neither is coconut soup.

Traditional Cuban cuisine is called criollo, as in creole. The basic ingredients are rice, beans, eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, chicken, beef and pork. Yucca (also known as cassava) and malanga are root vegetables that can be boiled or baked. The most common seasonings are onion and ajo (garlic). Meat is usually served in light sauces such as mojo or mojito (not to be confused with the cocktail), made with oil, garlic, onion, spices such as oregano and lime. Boliche is a beef roast, stuffed with chorizo sausage and hard-boiled eggs. Ropa vieja is shredded beef (usually shank) in tomato-based criollo sauce.

Congrí is rice cooked with red kidney beans. Rice with black beans is called Moros y Cristianos, which means ‘Moors and Christians”. Each region in Cuba has its tradition of preparing black bean soup.

Ajiaco is a stew made with meat, garlic and vegetables. Stews and soups are common, often with white rice or gofio (a type of corn flour). Corn stew, corn soup (guiso), caldosa (soup with tubers and meats) are popular. White bean Spanish stews such as Caldo Gallego (Galician stew), Fabada Asturiana (Asturian stew) and cocido de garbanzos (chickpea stew) are popular, as are paella and arroz con pollo (chicken with yellow rice).

Equally popular are tamales. Made with corn flour, shortening and pork, tamales are wrapped in corn leaves and tied, boiled in salted water and served in different ways. Tamales and black bean soup are among the few indigenous foods that have remained part of the modern Cuban cuisine.

Fufú is made from green bananas that have been boiled and mashed. Fritura de maíz (corn fritters) are often served at street stalls. Plátanos maduros fritos (fried sweet bananas) may be included in a traditional Cuban menu.

Pan con lechón is a traditional pressed sandwich with roasted pork, onions and mojo. For pan con bistec, the pork is replaced with a thin flank steak.

I could go on. We do have a national cuisine. It is traditional and at the same time includes adaptations that reflect the creativity of our people. — Ibete Fernández, press officer, Embassy of Cuba
Base minister’s grade on fact

Your 2008 Cabinet report card on Buyelwa Sonjica, minister of minerals and energy, is lacking in fact. She is harshly judged on the performance of, among others, Eskom, for which she has no operational responsibility. She relates to Eskom in so far as regulatory and policy issues are concerned — through the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.

It is our minister — with Cabinet — who has taken a leading role in responding to the electricity emergency, despite limitations. She was instrumental in setting up the national electricity response team and the project management office to work with stakeholders to prevent a repeat of last year’s load shedding. She has promulgated 10 regulations to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.

While there is room for improvement, we do not agree that there is ‘utter confusion surrounding government’s energy plans”. After consultation with stakeholders we released a White Paper on renewable energy in 2003 that provided for a target of 10 000GWH by 2013, which was endorsed by Cabinet and tabled in Parliament. This has prompted potential independent power producers to propose renewable power generation projects. These will be evaluated and finalised this year.

Electricity tariffs have, over the years, been low and have thus discouraged the introduction of renewable energy projects on a sustainable basis. It is our view that significant tariff increases in the next few years (to cover the costs of refurbishing and expanding the electricity supply infrastructure) will increase the speed with which renewable energy projects are implemented. This is provided for in the electricity pricing policy, which was approved by Cabinet at the end of 2008.

Your reference to Anglo confirms that your assessment was not based on correct information, as it was awarded its rights early last year, well before we criticised it for sidelining black managers. It is untrue to suggest that we linked Anglo’s application to this issue.

We have received a record number of applications for minerals rights. This demonstrates appetite and enthusiasm, not ‘stagnation”, which you allege characterises this sector.

While you have the right to scrutinise the performance of our minister, this should surely be based on fact. — Bheki Khumalo, minerals and energy department spokesperson

Cameron ‘not appropriate’

South Africa has become a complacent country. There is no oversight on any level. Checks and balances have become clichés and there is no definable follow-through. Many crucial issues are left indefinitely pending. Politicians take advantage and roam the country like bulls on the run from castration.

When KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Vuka Tshabalala received free Bathobonke shares from politician and businessman Tokyo Sexwale little dissent was raised and it soon faded because it wasn’t a national priority for influential persons to be accountable — or it was insignificant for a judge to receive presents from individuals.

As we entered the new year Justice Edwin Cameron was appointed to the Constitutional Court Bench and everyone seems content with the appointment (‘View from the top”, January 9). His legal expertise and reputation cannot be gainsaid, but he has displayed advocacy on HIV/Aids and same-sex relations and he is consequently an activist for both. HIV/Aids and same-sex relations remain controversial subjects in this country and Cameron has overtly displayed his soft spot for both.

His integrity, professionalism and objectivity in the Constitutional Court will be questioned. Therefore his appointment is a mistake and he is not suitable for the position, despite his credentials. — Phillimon Mnisi, Johannesburg

Well done!

In your year-end edition (December 19) I enjoyed my most fulfilling newspaper reading in 20 years. The three-in-a-row of Mark Gevisser on Thabo Mbeki, Pearlie Joubert on/with Steve Hofmeyr and Philippa Garson on/in New York, with the album snippet of Barack Obama in between, was a highlight of local journalism. I found it sanity-restoring and thought-provoking — something of a reward for the thousands of articles I have skimmed over the years. Please, please, please include something like ‘Journeys” every month or so. It was stupendous. — Etienne Terblanche, professor of English literature, North-West University (Potchefstroom campus)

In brief

You report (January 9) President Kgalema Motlanthe saying about Zimbabwe that ‘the SADC facilitated a comprehensive agreement after intensive negotiations. Our role is to ensure they implement that.” Where has he been for the past couple of months? Is he unaware that Robert Mugabe has violated virtually every aspect of that agreement since he signed it? Does he not know of the dirty tricks campaign against the opposition? How on earth can Motlanthe believe an inclusive government can be set up while this is going on? — George Ellis, Cape Town

I first met Helen Suzman 40 years ago when I was called upon to thank her for coming to address our school. Thereafter, I had the privilege of meeting her and listening to her speeches on many occasions. From first to last she was the most logical person I have come across. The Afrikaans word ‘konsekwent” better describes her. — Nigel Willis, Johannesburg

I appreciate the cartoons done by Zapiro but feel that using the nativity scene as a backdrop for his year-end cartoon is distasteful. As a Christian I find it in bad taste. Would he use a Muslim event as a backdrop? — Butch Hannan