The Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (DASO) recently sent some South African blood boiling with their controversial poster of an interracial couple embracing. The tagline of the poster read: “In OUR future, you wouldn’t look twice.” On the face of it, the poster was likely intended to be a catchy way of presenting a future South Africa with significantly better race relations. Of course, in reality, it sparked off off-mark sensationalist headlines (such as Wonkie’s today!), wraths and furore from a variety of holier-than-thou groups.

Wonkie thought it would be useful to provide some in-depth analysis of the poster itself and the raft of nutty commentary that it has inspired.

First off, raise your hands if you had even heard of DASO before this poster incident. Right. Can you really blame DASO for wanting to steal the limelight, just for a moment, from Julius Malema and the ANCYL? After all, how is an organisation supposed to compete for support when the media is so biased against them. Something drastic had to be done.

Secondly, what better way to attract attention in South Africa than to tackle anything to do with race relations. It’s a guaranteed winner. Ironically, showing any semblance of harmony between races is probably set to spark off uncontrolled rage, particularly with the race groups concerned. And that, is exactly what happened.

Black South Africans with nothing better to do accused DASO of being a hypocritical white organisation positioning themselves as something they are clearly not. White South Africans with nothing better to do accused objectors of living in the past and not embracing a truly interracial South African future. Indian and Coloured South Africans were left wondering when provocative posters of Joey Rasdien and Riaad Moosa in a warm embrace were going to flood the streets, taking both race and gender relations to the next level for them.

Then came the inevitable commentary from religious zealots. Because such posters containing a male and female individual can only lead to one thing – evil, promiscuous sin – the likes of Theunis Botha of the Christian Democratic Party deemed the poster to be an escalation of immorality to the highest order.

From that point on the commentary just deteriorated completely into a comic mess. Why was a white man depicted with a black woman, and not a black man with white woman? Is DASO trying to say that black men are not good enough for white women? And why was the white man not blonde? Of course, they won’t look twice… they’ll look thrice – they don’t have any clothes on in public! The ANCYL didn’t come up with an equivalent poster because they don’t really believe we can have a truly multiracial society living in harmony. And did you notice how the black woman seemed to be so slim and had her hair straightened in that photo… ludicrous – it’s yet another representation that the black race has to conform to white standards of beauty. Unacceptable… blah, blah, blah.

Debate all you like, but the reality of the future is already playing out in South Africa. Visit popular malls in the evenings and over the weekends. School kids – the next generation, certainly don’t appear to care much about race. That this comes more from a place of indifference, rather than rebellion, leads Wonkie to believe that attitudes are going to go through a forced revolution sooner than parents can blink.

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Related Wonkie posts on race relations and racism in South Africa:

1. Jimmy Manyi – racist comments
2. Is Julius Malema a racist?
3. Shoot the Boer cartoon and race relations

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The recent actions of the South African treasury and central government in placing several state departments in various provinces – notably Limpopo and Eastern Cape, under administration were a surprise to many. But given widespread financial chaos and technical bankruptcy in Limpopo – the home of comrade revolutionaries Cassel Mathale and Juju, the treasury acted to ensure that civil servants and other creditors were paid to prevent anarchy and forestall an even greater sense that the ANC cannot rule effectively. In the Eastern Cape the wheels had long fallen off education and there too a central-led state team was dispatched to save the situation. However, these actions have not gone smoothly. The Limpopo team had to be escorted to work by armed security and in the Eastern Cape there is currently a stand off between SADTU and the new education administrators leaving many schools paralyzed by striking teachers.

How did the situation deteriorate to such an extent and why is central government finally taking a stand?

The inability to properly manage public finances and deliver tangibles, in particular for the working class, has been a feature of the New South Africa. A number of factors have contributed to this mess. Whilst recognizing that it was never going to be easy to take over the reins from a largely White, Afrikaner, racist bureaucracy and that it would be necessary in the short term to appoint cadres who were above all politically loyal to the objectives of the new government, the way the Mandela/ Mbeki presidencies dealt with this key challenge was woefully inadequate.

Three vital areas were mishandled. The first was the failure to pair political appointees (‘commissars’) with experienced administrators so that the knowledge/management skill deficit of the politicos did not become fatal to delivery.

Secondly, the failure to implement a code of conduct that barred civil servants from simultaneously becoming directors of and/ or running private businesses, has meant that many civil servants are more involved in their private affairs than in running government. Finally, the way in which state tenders have been manipulated has also contributed to the rot. A new class of tenderpreneurs has come to blight public life and erode trust in the ruling party. As a result local government which should be at the forefront of delivering the better life for all has become bogged down in power mongering and factionalism as the principles of ‘clean and efficient’ public service degenerate into a plundering of the state fiscus. This is why over the past financial year so much money (some R27 billion nationally) is either unaccounted for or was frivolously spent.

Why then has the Zuma regime cracked the whip? Was it simply to embarrass certain political opponents or is there a deeper current of real accountability taking place?

Internally within the ANC and the state apparatus, the setting up a National Planning Commission has put the spotlight on the state’s lack of performance. That Ramaphosa and Manuel are key members and that Ramaphosa, in particular, has political ambitions has meant that Zuma must watch his back. In addition, Pravin Gordhan, who turned SARS into a formidable instrument for tax collection, has made a difference. Treasury has become far more proactive and resistant to excess and waste at all levels. This is not to say that all loopholes have been closed but far greater oversight of provincial and central state expenditure is slowly being achieved. In addition, Cosatu has become more and more outspoken with regard to state negligence as its members bear the brunt of service failure. Indeed, this week the national leadership took the unprecedented step of challenging one of its own senior affiliates (SADTU) with regard to the education debacle in the Eastern Cape.

All this bodes well and one can only hope that this fresh wind continues to blow through government and further empowers those who take their responsibilities seriously. It is supremely ironic that this is happening under Zuma’s watch, but then irony is the stuff of history.

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Related Wonkie posts on corruption, delivery and election promises:

1. Corruption in South Africa
2. Secrecy Bill
3. Zuma election promises
4. Pravin Gordhan news

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As Wonkie joins many of you in recovering from the January Blues, Wonkie thought it best to ease into the year with a relaxing Photo Caption Contest. In this week’s Friday Fun, Wonkie challenges readers to submit their funniest caption for the little rodent’s prayer.

Given the exciting start to the year following Moonbeam’s 2012 star sign predictions, our rodent certainly has no shortage of content to be praying about. Whether it is world peace, the recovery of the European economy, the return of Julius Malema to South African politics, that the ridiculous Gauteng toll fees remain permanently delayed, or quite simply nuts, the intensity of the prayer and the apparent alignment of several rodent chakras makes Wonkie believe that there is a good chance that the prayer will be answered… so please choose carefully!

The funniest entry in this week’s challenge will be awarded a glorious, newly designed, 2012 Wonkie CartOOns T-Shirt. Wonkie looks forward to receiving lots of whacky comments. As always, Wonkie kindly requests that if you’re going to submit multiple entries, please submit them all as a single comment instead of lots of individual ones – thanks.

Have fun and enjoy the weekend! This caption contest closes on 6 February 2012 when the best entry will be published and the t-shirt awarded.

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ps: If you are wondering how come this little creature appears so calm and focused in the midst of such global hardships, read all about the benefits of life coaching here!

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For previous photo caption challenges, please visit Wonkie’s photo caption contest archive pages. From next week, Wonkie returns to its former self with some exciting articles on BBBEE, economic development, education in South Africa, human trafficking and more… stay tuned!

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This is a quick post to thank all Wonkie readers and wish them well over the festive season. It has been an eventful year with the North African Islamic uprisings, the global economic turmoil, the death of Osama bin Laden and the untimely demise of brother leader Muammar Gaddafi. Add to that the suspension of South Africa’s beloved young lion, Julius Malema from the ANC and it is clear that the world really does need to pause and catch its breath from the intensity of 2011.

For Wonkie, the last year has been an exciting one – it crossed the 12,500 mark for regular readers and now has over 5,250 fans on facebook. There were MP3 players, Wonkie t-shirts and an iPad that were won over 2011. Wonkie even received prime-time international TV coverage with its commentary on world issues. It has honestly been great reading your commentary too – thanks again for voicing your opinions. Wonkie looks forward to having an amazing start to 2012.

As a little gift for those of you who a need a non-taxing challenge over Christmas period, adjacent is a little Wonkie Christmas puzzle for you.

Best wishes and safe journeys if you’re travelling – please don’t drink and drive!

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Having ingeniously solved the world’s global warming crisis, Wonkie decided to publish something lighter this week – about capital punishment and human rights for drug mules. This follows the execution of South African drug trafficker Janice Linden in China earlier this month.

Before readers embark on the essential debate of whether it would not have been better to hang Janice or to use a firing squad instead of just a lethal injection, Wonkie thought it best to take a step back and examine the human rights issues for such criminals. This is particularly relevant since another South African, Nolubabalo Nobanda, was arrested last week in Thailand on a drug trafficking charge.

Innovative Ms Nobanda was taken into custody after Thai authorities discovered the 1.5kg of cocaine worth over $150,000 that she had hidden in her dreadlocks. The 23-year old confessed to smuggling the drugs and said she was hired to make the drop to a customer at a local Bangkok hotel.

Following the huge outcry in South Africa because a guilty South African criminal actually got punished in China, Wonkie began to wonder. How should such criminals be treated? What would be fit and proper punishment for such crimes? Does China, which probably generates enough human rights issues single-handedly to keep the likes of Amnesty International in business, have it right in this case? Is capital punishment an effective deterrent? Could it be that the 1.5kg of cocaine just accidently wound up in Nolubabalo’s dreadlocks?

Please take part in our human rights for drug mules poll below and do leave your more detailed opinion in the comments section.. it would be wonderful to read your thoughts on the subject.

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Wonkie wishes readers well over the festive season. Please don’t drink and drive!

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For some related Wonkie posts, visit the crime in South Africa archive.

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1st December is World Aids day. Following on from our know your status from last year, our guest author, Engineer-Chic takes a critical look at the infamous It’s my culture defence. Wonkie and Engineer-Chic look forward to reading your comments on the post below:

A recent news broadcast caught my attention: a Filipino maid was sentenced to one year in jail in Dubai for having sex with a man she said was her husband… and falling pregnant. Gasp! I thought to myself, “even if she were lying about being married, come on, it’s 2011! How could such an apparently modern society still hold such openly repressive and biased views on female sexuality? What kind of society would allow that?”

A feeling of relief came over me as I remembered that I belonged to a progressive and liberal society – in a democracy whose constitution allows me the right to equality in relationships, to have my sexual choices respected and above all, to have the final say in when and how I reproduced. ‘I am lucky‘, I thought, ‘to live in South Africa‘. The feeling of relief receded as I thought about a couple of dominant cultures in SA, and the roles that women play in our diverse communities. Strong links exist between certain cultural norms of the majority of our population and SA’s overwhelming problem with the spread of HIV/ Aids – the practice of polygamy for instance, or the lack of relationship bargaining-power – typical of various South African cultures. The same can be said for the high rates of violence against women in South Africa.

Just then, the voice of Jacob Zuma came to mind, flaunting his famous line: “It’s my culture”.

A myriad of Zapiro comics and Wonkie posts flashed through my head as I remembered our shower-clad President’s (many) caricatured appearances: his multiple wives, dozens of children out of wedlock (ooh, boy – don’t let him anywhere near Dubai!) , rape accusations and general philandering ways. I wondered how his wives felt about being put at risk of contracting STDs due to their husband’s ‘cultural rights’. I thought about the thousands of South African women who contract HIV/ AIDS from their unfaithful partners – unable to refuse sex or request the use of a condom because this is seen as culturally-inappropriate behavior for women.

Although our President’s actions, like the actions of many South African men, were in direct conflict with any rational notion of what respect for women meant, somehow just saying the magic words, “but it’s my culture”, made everything okay.

To be honest, I think South Africans go a bit overboard with trying to preserve cultures and traditions – a spill-over from our divide-and-conquer, apartheid past. Culture is important, but culture is always changing – always evolving in our globalising world. Nevertheless, our Bill of Rights states that each of us has the right to enjoy our culture and have them respected. Our founding fathers (and mothers) fortunately had the foresight to add a disclaimer to this otherwise-blank cheque: you may exercise cultural freedom as long as this is not inconsistent with any other provision of the Bill of Rights… like say, owning the rights to your own body? Or the right to protect yourself against the risk of HIV/ AIDS? Or maybe, the right to have your dignity respected and protected?

But don’t get me wrong – I’m not just picking on our President’s culture for its biased and unconstitutional ways. If I had to think about the diverse cultural groups that coexist in SA, I’d be hard-pressed to think of any that don’t exhibit severe gender biases – whether it be stigmas borne by divorced women (Indian culture), rape/ violence against women (all cultures), sanctioning of polygamy (Muslim/ African cultures), persecution of women – and not men – for displaying some form of empowerment (all cultures), or the view that a woman’s contributions to society has to be approved by men (ultra-conservative Afrikaner). These discriminations have been cemented into the fabric of our society over generations – so much so that even our President can get away with it. The USA, while it is by no means perfect in terms achieving gender equality, certainly would not have stood for Bill Clinton trying to claim his ‘cultural-rights’ with Monica, for example.

Our Head of State has clearly shown, again and again, that culture trumps constitution. In doing so, he has sanctioned gender inequality and given South African men a means to wash their hands of all their wrongs with respect to disrespecting and abusing women: all it takes now is a simple “It’s my right! It’s my culture.”

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Related Wonkie articles on AIDS/ HIV:

• Jacob Zuma HIV status
• Zuma shower cartoon

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On 22nd November 2011, the Protection of State Information Bill was approved by parliament in South Africa. While the debate about what is international best practice with respect to state secrets is well and good, South Africans and the government would do well to reflect on the basics: who is responsible for creating government and who the government serves.

The answer to both the above questions is the public. In principle, if anything in law changes that allows all or part of government to entrench itself without the necessary public scrutiny, then that should quite rightly raise eyebrows. The South African secrecy bill, as it should, has eyebrows wiggling spastically all over the countryside.

Wonkie has explored the implications of such a law over a year ago in articles such as Dummies Guide to Corruption and in others like freedom of the press in South Africa. While amendments have been made to the bill since those articles were published, the singular point of contention is that there is still no public interest defence in it.

This would essentially mean that the government has sole discretion and much power to hide anything it deems fit. Examples could range from devious military plans to invade Swaziland, details of expenditure for that all important national security meeting held in the Bahamas for the ruling party and close friends, or the amorous escapades of some minister with your lovely daughter. Anything.

It is clear from the amount of protest that the South African public already does not trust the current ANC government – and they have reason not to. Jacob Zuma, the president himself, is implicated in so many scandals and dubious dealings that even Silvio Berlusconi is rumoured to be in awe of him. Bheki Cele, as police chief, would have also wielded such power and likely found a way to hide his dodgy lease under some banner of protecting the public. And it’s not just the opposition protesting the bill – even ANC allies like COSATU are opposed to the bill in its current form.

South African government should be aspiring to increase transparency and expose corruption – ironically as Jacob Zuma himself advocated. This bill, unfortunately, does exactly the opposite. One can only hope that the Constitutional Court, when the debate ultimately reaches that level, will protect more than just the constituents of the ANC. Otherwise, South Africa is well on its way to become a true banana republic.

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Other related Wonkie articles on corruption in South Africa and POIB:

• Corruption in South Africa
• Jacob Zuma arms deal scandal

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This is the final article in Wonkie’s series on South African role models. Good timing, given the recent events surrounding Julius Malema’s suspension from the ANC last week. Our guest writer below touches on the good, the bad and the ugly of South Africans worthy of imitation:

As the shadow of apartheid with all its limitations very slowly lessens, so it becomes imperative to create a new set of heroes and villains – the old struggle icons, to use a rather tired term, excite neither young people nor most older people for that matter. The main reason for this being the tainted example many of them now set – an example of self-interest, hypocrisy and cronyism. In addition, the depoliticization of communities and the erosion of common purpose have left young people vulnerable to the excessive individualism of neo-liberal capitalism with its emphasis on unchecked private accumulation and egotistical self-publicity. This then begs the question of how this new generation is to select those they wish to emulate and those they wish to avoid following.

The main criteria for a role model should be advancing the genuine empowerment of all sections of society, particularly of the dispossessed, through building a human rights based society. This is not to deny individuals the opportunity to realise themselves and stand out for their excellence – such opportunities must be allowed to flourish. But the celebrity sound bite media must be held to account so that the superficiality of role models currently being presented – Idols, reality show contestants, sports stars, entertainment figures, populist politicians, etc, is challenged.

So, which youthful role models should be applauded and which booed?

The Good: Thuli Madonsela – she is without doubt the most obvious example of a young black woman who has stood up for a genuinely new South Africa. Her handling of the Bheki Cele case and her refusal to be intimidated by the ANC power structure is extremely important. Her actions have given new relevance to and respect for the position of Public Protector after the previous incumbent, Lawrence Mushwana, a party hack, discredited the notion of independent investigation and appropriate sanction. Viva Thuli, viva!

The Bad: It would be too easy to use South Africa’s beloved Julius Malema to fill this spot – he is not alone in being a pathetic example to the country’s youth – the collective national office bearers of the ANCYL are to be condemned for leading South Africa’s youth into a dead end. Their rhetoric and self-righteousness while delivering nothing of any value is self-evident. Where are the campaigns or organisational frameworks that need to be built to deal with the atrocious education, massive unemployment, rampant sexual violence and disease that afflict young people? Pansi Juju and his cohorts, pansi!

The Ugly: Jimmy Manyi – the head of the Black Management Forum has progressively blotted his image. As spokesperson for a rising managerial and entrepreneurial class, he has shown ignorance of economics, lack of strategic thinking and a penchant for self-aggrandizement. His new position in the Department of Labour, which could have been an interesting exercise in bringing black business and organised black labour closer, has become a farce. The Norwegian complaint relating to his using an official meeting to punt for private gain was a particularly gross example of unethical and selfish behaviour. Pansi Jimmy Manyi, pansi! Other very ugly examples are Khulubuse Zuma and Zondwa Mandela – former directors of Pamodzi Mining who denied workers at the ill-fated Aurora mine their wages for almost two years while frittering away the assets of the company. So much for solidarity and basic decency!

In conclusion, there are some bright stars – Tladi Tladi of the Hawks is yet another, who are making an imprint on South Africa’s fledgling democracy, but in the main the cancers of a flashy lifestyle and the cult of the Quick Buck are making it difficult for them to set the tone. South Africans can only hope that this soon changes despite the current hegemony enjoyed by the ANC’s Young and Old Guards (with the SACP in tow) and a mass media and corporate culture that are fixated on sensationalism and conspicuous consumption. It is certainly not an easy time to be young.

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Other related Wonkie articles on African role models:

• Muammar Gaddafi – African Role Model

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Yesterday was a dark, dark day for South Africa. Once again, the ruling ANC leadership acted with significant inconsistency, callous disregard for the education system, and a tremendous lack of foresight.

The thoughtless ANC action Wonkie is referring to concerns South Africa’s young lion – the great, the late, ANC Youth League president Mr Julius Malema. Following a decision by the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) yesterday, Che Malema has been suspended from the ANC for five years. This means that Juju will not be able to involve himself in any activities of the ANC or the ANCYL during that period, effective immediately.

When one reads what Malema is actually being disciplined for, both the ANC disciplinary process and the suspension itself appear to be somewhat of a joke. It is the political equivalent of convicting Osama bin Laden for lacking good fashion sense.

Firstly there is a matter of inconsistency within the ANC. Neither Jacob Zuma, nor any of the ANC powers that be, had anything to say about sowing divisions within the ANC when Julius was jumping around screaming that he would kill for Zuma. At that time he managed to cause a very real internal split between the Mbeki and Zuma camps. What Julius is being disciplined for now is for disrupting some meeting and voicing his opinion on one more thing he knows very little about. Given that the current Zuma faction would be at risk now (as Mbeki was before), it suddenly makes great sense to discipline him now.

Secondly, Julius’s poor attempt at emulating Schabir Shaik with his admission to hospital for flu-like symptoms, resulted in his disciplinary hearing being delayed. Wonkie is disappointed that the ANC did not delay the announcement of the verdict until after Julius Malema had written his UNISA political studies exam – a total lack of regard for the education system. If Julius fails, it will be the ANC’s fault. Poor guy, as if writing exams isn’t stressful enough as it is.

Finally, and most importantly, the ANC has shown a great lack of foresight with their decision. Does the ANC not realise South Africans live in fragile economic times? Do they not realise that if Julius Malema leaves the South African news scene, tens of thousands in the local media industry would need to be laid off? Does the ANC not realise that they are taking away from the public a source of free entertainment and a preferred topic of whinge? The white folk in Cape Town will also need to find something else to complain about now – and in a country as beautiful as South Africa, without Julius that might be quite difficult for them. Inconsiderate is not the word to describe the ANC.

Julius has, through his various forms, from lovable Juju through to his bovine alter-ego, Moolius Jalema, captured the hearts and ingrown toenails of South Africans everywhere. Wonkie wishes him well through the appeals process which will no doubt drag on indefinitely. South African politics would just not be the same without you Juju.

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As a pleasant aside, at 11 minutes and 11 seconds past 11 this morning, the date and time will read 11/11/11 11:11:11 – What will you be doing?

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Other related Wonkie articles on Julius Malema and the ANC Youth League:

• Malema hate speech trial
• Julius Malema jokes
• ANCYL news
• Julius Malema SARS audit

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When pondering on the potty about African role models, it is hard to ignore the ANC Youth League president Julius Malema. While there are one or two Wonkie readers that may not look up to him as an amazing font of inspiration, even they would have to admit that an odd many in South Africa actually do.

This week, Julius Malema led an ANCYL march for economic freedom from the Johannesburg CBD to Sandton, and then to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This comes on the back of a delayed ANC disciplinary hearing, after Malema was rushed to hospital because he exhibited flu-like symptoms. Clearly the pressures of leading the country’s youth is taking its toll.

The 90km march by thousands of ANCYL supporters, dubbed the Gauteng Comrades Marathon, kicked off after a long delay yesterday. Actually, the planned route was only about 60km, but reading, let alone map reading apparently has a much lower priority for many ANCYL members than the deeper understanding of global macroeconomic theory and the nationalisation of mines. Adopting the ‘sharing is caring’ maxim of many of the world’s great role models, Julius stressed the importance of sharing cold drinks and water as the march started off with God showing her vehement ANCYL support with a massive heat wave.

So why the Great March of Stupidity?

Contrary to popular belief, the stupidity has no allusion to Malema whatsoever. It is rather targeted at his followers who clearly have been unable to join the dots in this instance, and in no doubt many others. These dots, to mention a few, would be the dot describing Julius Malema’s anything but frugal lifestyle and the dot of his championing of poor as though he is an underprivileged blimp. Or the dot of milking the system for personal gain and then pushing for nationalisation of the mines in the interest of the masses. Or, how about the dot that he is more than gainfully employed and in essence doing nothing of substance to help the unemployed.

Where the ANCYL should be taking a leadership stance in finding ways to create gainful employment for South African youth, they have instead opted for the easy path of simply whingeing about it and creating general irritation with disruptive mass action. Had Julius had the correct priority for himself, the biggest contribution he could have made for the youth in South Africa is helping them join the dots between education, hard work and economic freedom. Instead, he has become a role model for thousands also wanting a lazy way to easy money.

So what happens after the march for economic freedom?

As things stand, nothing. Julius Malema and the ANCYL will have made their voices heard on an issue that is actually an obvious plight. They will have provided no solutions or constructive, implementable ideas to really help the youth.

If stupidity were not the order of the day, these are some of the alternatives that may have been more constructive:

1. Engaging big business to provide training programmes to help make the youth more employable
2. Starting sponsored trade apprenticeship programmes with professional organisations
3. Developing course material for secondary schools that will give students practical, economically useful skills
4. Encouraging entrepreneurship and working with banks and other financial institutions to fund such social development programmes
5. Finding ways to boost and promote cottage industries, and getting the funds back to that community

Ultimately, the choice still lies with Julius Malema as to whether he wants to make a positive impact on South African youth, or simply be a puppet to help get the next wannabe-president into office. At this point, it looks like his choice is sadly made.

If you enjoyed this article, please +1 this post on google by click the button below – thank you!

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Other related Wonkie articles on Julius Malema and ANCYL Strategy:

• Best Julius Malema jokes
• Malema hate speech trial
• ANCYL news
• Julius Malema lifestyle audit
• Nationalisation of mines in South Africa

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