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.

.

If you’re conducting a strategy session or workshop, then hire a facilitator in South Africa to get the maximum value from it. Fusionfields also provides personal and innovative business strategy coaching for executives and teams.

.

If all this negative talk around race relations is depressing, perhaps a lucky strike on one of the top online casino South Africa or a selection from the best online casino in India list will do the trick. Alternatively, you can buy a lottery ticket online instead or check out Wonkie’s suggested alternatives.

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

.

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.

.

.

If you’re excited about some of the recent clamping down in South Africa and are optimistic about the future, perhaps now would be a good time to ride the wave and buy lottery tickets online or if you’re open to more risk, why not review the best South African online casino directory. You can also find detailed reviews on online casinos in India here. For other options, visit Wonkie’s updated recommendations list.

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

.

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.

.

.
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!

.

.

.

If you haven’t already, be sure to visit Wonkie’s other recommended blogs. If you’d like to check out updated offers on silver sands casino or on the top online casinos South Africa directory, Wonkie has recently updated these pages. If you’re based in India, you should check out the latest online reviews on the best online casinos in India site.

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!

.

.

Moonbeam Williams, Wonkie’s resident astrologer, is putting together a special annual horoscope tying together some major world events in 2012 with the zodiac. Below is a preliminary summary of the report. Moonbeam’s final astrological analysis will be available on 31 December 2012 and is expected to be, as usual, 100% accurate in all its predictions for the year.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 21) – Being the aggressive, ambitious and often over-confident person you are, you are likely to lead the South African national revolt against the introduction of exorbitant toll fees in Gauteng. With trade union backing, you will bring the national highways to a grinding halt for weeks until the issue is resolved successfully with a 0.5% drop in toll fees. You will then go on to violently campaign against the job losses you helped enable by encouraging mass action. It’s ok though, what really matters is that you were right.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21) – With down-to-earth pragmatism, you will be quick to point out that the number of deaths in the revolution in Egypt in 2011 amounted to less than 80% of the total South African road fatalities over the December 2011 holiday season. Since Hosni Mubarak faces the death penalty for his actions in Egypt, you begin an active lobby to have the South African transport authorities executed. Fortunately for Sbu Ndebele, your activism fails miserably. However, you do go on to write a bestseller on how to get your driver’s license without having to take a test.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 22) – Your quick-wittedness finally pays off in 2012 as you use your skills to write eloquent speeches for presidential candidates in over 20 countries where national elections are taking place, from Moldova to Zimbabwe. Sadly, your evil twin has the same idea and makes as much money selling the same speeches to the opposition parties in those countries. You subsequently wind up on the most-wanted lists of over a dozen countries.

Cancer (Jun 22 – July 23) – 2012 is the year you truly embrace your crabby self and build a machine, the EmotoPower, to harness the power of emotional outbursts. Given the massive increases in the price of oil over 2012, you and your machine are suddenly befriended by many Western countries. Things go very well for you over the year, until the USA decides to invade Iran because, well, they can. Your extreme emotional burst at that point overloads the EmotoPower and the entire project literally ends in a sea of tears.

Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 24) – Your true leadership abilities come to the fore in 2012 when you undertake to coach Barack Obama in preparation for the US elections later in the year. After the first two hours of coaching, you decide you would be better off running for the presidency yourself. Your hard-hitting campaign throws off the opposition and creates enough national confusion to facilitate an unlikely presidential candidate getting into power.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sep 23) – As a tidy clean-freak of note, you are hired by the City of London to clean up after the eventful 2012 Olympics. You befriend the oddest looking mascots in the history of world events and store millions of them neatly in warehouses around the world. Strangely enough by the end of the year, you know each of them, by name. They are your friends and you will never let anybody harm them. Ever.

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 23) – In a stroke of good fortune, you are accidentally hired by the Eurozone countries to help balance their books and resolve their crisis. Your best-in-class indecisiveness when trying to figure out the best way forward is so astounding, that it shocks the Eurozone market into making a radical decision. You eventually rationalise that being persona non grata in Greece, Ireland and a few other countries was a small price to pay for global economic stability.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 23) – About half your year in 2012 is spent in anticipation of the Marvel super-hero movie, The Avengers. Convinced that your extremely vindictive nature should have at least landed you a cameo in the movie, you are very disappointed that the video clip you had recorded on your mobile phone was not used by the studio. You decide to exercise your wrath on Hollywood which sadly, does not end well for you. Still, on the upside, you do wind up getting international fame when the BBC interviews you on their award-winning documentary about stalkers and the people that love them.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 22) – Your outgoing nature allows you to make the massive ANC centenary celebration a party that lives on throughout the year. In fact, you get into the Guinness Book of Records, for starting the longest afterparty ever recorded in history. The ANC, incidentally, also makes the record books in 2012 as the first political party that tried to create 5 million jobs by splashing out on a lavish party. The party leadership would later be quoted as saying “Well nothing else worked, so we thought we’d give it a shot.”

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 21) – Being industrious, practical and productive, you decide 2012 is the year you will leave your mark on the world. You move to China. There, with your new iPhone 5, you impart your significant materialistic aspirations to the masses. This plants the seeds for the political upset of the decade. You later decide to start a magic show after it is proven that you single-handedly managed to turn Chairman Mao in his grave.

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 20) – Enigmatic as ever, you are responsible for numerous political revolutions, interesting coversations and technological innovations. Some will speculate that you are the creator of the soon-to-be released Windows 8, or the instigator behind the latest anti-corruption campaign in India, but nobody will ever really know the truth – except you. You will receive frequent offers to attend world events to add some mystery to the proceedings.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 21) – You spend the entire year dreaming about what will happen after the world ends in December 2012. Most of all, you wonder whether the fish will survive. Realising that it may well be your last year, you quit your job and decide to travel to India to find some spiritual answers. There, you exercise your creativity to the maximum and wind up making a small fortune on some colourful afterlife posters.

Wonkie and Moonbeam Williams wish you a very happy 2012. Please remember to take all your vacation before 21 December 2012, just in case the Mayans are right. Wonkie looks forward to spending its last year with you.

If you are still recovering from a New Year’s hangover and still need to make your resolutions, be sure to check out this great make New Year resolutions article today.

.

.

In many countries, it is traditional to gamble a little to kick off the New Year. In case you fancy trying your luck you may want to check out the top online casinos worldwide, a casino in India, or the best online casino South Africa directory for options. If you prefer more entertaining choices, then please visit Wonkie’s suggested sites for alternative recommendations on other types of sites.

Related Wonkie posts on New Year and 2012:

1. African Dictator New Years Resolutions
2. 2012 End of the World
3. US election cartoons
4. Barack Obama wins US Elections

.

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!

.

If you didn’t get the pressie you wanted for Christmas this year, and peace on earth seems out of reach, perhaps you can try to buy your own with the help of the top online casino South Africa or on Silver Sands casino. If you’re past all those worldly things, and just need a nice tool to help create your 2012 resolutions, be sure to check out this make New Year resolutions article now.

.

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.

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

.

If you’ve read this post and are wondering what you would look like with some funky Jamaican dreadlocks, why not buy lottery tickets online in Jamaica – you may wind up having the opportunity to grow them there if you win! Otherwise, Wonkie’s best online casinos South Africa directory is at your service or try any popular casino in India now.

On a slightly more serious note, if you have a drug problem yourself, now would be the right time to sign up for some personal coaching to support you through the recovery process. Otherwise, check out Wonkie’s recommended links for more browsing alternatives.

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

.

Wonkie thought that by now, you’re probably tired of reading headlines claiming that COP17 was a pathetic failure. You’ve no doubt read stories about how many delegates simply rehashed their speeches from previous COP meetings, and how the Americans effectively gave global warming issues the cold shoulder once again. You’ve probably also seen lots of pictures of cute females in floral t-shirts scampering around in their hotpants campaigning to save the planet.

Well now, Wonkie urges you to STOP. Take a deep breath. Stop wondering why you’re sitting in a dead-end job and had not been invited to that fun party by the sea. Stop imagining how great it would be to stop shaving your under-arms and not care about it (Wonkie believes many green people do this because everyone else stops breathing for a few seconds when they see it, thereby reducing CO2 emissions in the immediate vicinity). Stop thinking what if you could randomly travel abroad to attend week-long climate change conferences, and get praised for achieving nothing of consequence. Stop it right now. Those privileges are reserved for a select few.

Wonkie’s international think tank, which incidentally was banned from the COP17 climate change conference because of its controversial views, suggested publishing some of its findings and recommendations here to better inform the public of the real facts, options and constructive ways forward. Wonkie’s place at the conference was taken by archbishop Moletelo Molaba from Qwaqwa who offered his 100% guaranteed solution for climate change: prayer.

Below is an executive summary of Wonkie’s COP17 research report:

1. COP is waste of time and money since the most powerful players are not really interested in change. America, which emits more CO2 than a process-optimised Mexican bean factory, is clearly not taking any helpful steps forward. India and other developing countries want to be like America so they’re not keen on changing either.
2. Since no country is really doing anything constructive, it makes sense for the public to either (a) embrace the fact that climate change is here to stay; or (b) take steps to make the change themselves
3. If they select option (a), now would be a good time to set up swimsuit businesses in Bangladesh and the Maldives and also to buy loads of sunblock
4. Also following from option (a), Wonkie forecasts huge job creation in the Siberian real estate market. A temperature rise of a few degrees there would probably make it a great candidate for the next housing boom and subprime crisis.
5. For the die-hard green activists, option (b) might be more attractive. Following months of gruelling research, Wonkie’s think tank came up with the ultimate technology solution for climate change, illustrated below.



6. Wonkie has already approached the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for funding the prototype. If you would like to make a contribution to save the planet for your grandchildren, please get in touch today and we’ll tell you how you can help.

.
As the year comes to a close, drive safely to wherever you’re heading and please don’t drink and drive! We look forward to reading your thoughts on COP17 and climate change in the comments section below.

.

.

If you’re glad that the world is heating up and are only wishing that your luck would too, perhaps it would be a good time to buy lottery tickets online, check out Wonkie’s best online casinos South Africa reviews or try your hand at any of the top online casinos in India now. For alternative options to help you enjoy the change in climate, visit Wonkie’s other suggested entertaining sites.

Be sure to check out Wonkie’s related article on Robert Mugabe and the energy crisis.

.

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.”

.

.

.

As we enter the 2011 festive season, perhaps you feel there is more chance of winning a massive lotto if you play lottery online than of ever achieving gender equality in the world. If so, then all Wonkie has to say is do not lose hope so soon! For the risk takers amongst you, check out Wonkie’s top online casino South Africa directory or try your hand on the best Indian online casinos today. Alternatively, check out Wonkie’s other suggested entertainment for more.

.

Related Wonkie articles on AIDS/ HIV:

• Jacob Zuma HIV status
• Zuma shower cartoon

.

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.

.

.

.

If the secrecy bill has your year ending on a rather low note, perhaps winning a huge international lottery will help cheer you up – you can now buy lottery tickets online here. If you like gambling, and that’s no secret, check out Wonkie’s best online casinos and online casino directory, or read reviews of the top online casinos in India to help you decide exactly where to try your powers of intuition.

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

• Corruption in South Africa
• Jacob Zuma arms deal scandal

.

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.

.

.

.

As the year comes to a close, now might be a great time to try your hand at some of the biggest international lotteries – you can buy lotto tickets online here. or visit Wonkie’s play UK lottery from South Africa page. For those of you who have James Bond as a role model, perhaps some online casinos South Africa or the best online casino India might better suit your style. If online gambling is not your cup of tea, check out other recommended sites here.

Other related Wonkie articles on African role models:

• Muammar Gaddafi – African Role Model

.