Take the current xenophobic actions in Alexandra township (among others). Daily the presenter on 702 (LIU) ask, "Why is this happening?", "Is there a 3rd force involved?", "Why now all of a sudden?".
Why now is easy - it's been building up for some time, and everything that "starts" has to have a starting point - DUH!
3rd Force? This sounds like apartheid era propaganda - when it was claimed that the police were using Zulu warriors to intimidate ANC cadres / supporters. No one thought that maybe it was just the Zulu's doing what they do best?
Why it's happening is a difficult call, but I have some opinion in this regard.
From a 20th Century point of view - there "Illegal Aliens" are taking up jobs that the locals could be doing. A lot of them are involved in crime, even against the local African population.
It is estimated that if only one third of the current Zimbabwean illegal population to be found in SA should return to Zimbabwe, and their jobs be filled with locals, the unemployment rate could drop from 24% to 19%! It is estimated also, that the repatriation of same could reduce crime by upto 30%! Enough reason, I should think, for the current status
From a pre 20th century perspective, however, I have some other views. traditionally the African comes from a tribe. Tribal mentality is such that it does not allow for the questioning of leaders. It also has embedded in it the superiority of the male species over the female / child. And there was always the tribal wars, the standard practice of raiding the neighbors who had what you didn't, and the protection of tribal land. translate this into todays status. The Zimbabweans have for years suffered under Mugabe's regime. However, until recently, they "seemingly" voted him in. Why?
Because a democratic choice of leader is not a natural event for them. Leaders were chosen in battle, or by succession - chief / his son / his son.... etc. But because the "Natural leader / chief" position ceased to exist many years ago under colonial rule, this position was filled by he who was seen to have been the victor in battle. Bob. After that, he was kept in power, because tradition does not allow for his expulsion, other than by natural death, or by a one on one challenge, and defeat in battle!!!!!
Why are the Zimbabweans coming here then, instead of living within their "tribal elected" conditions? Well, as always, there are those who would defect / run away, when conditions within the tribe became unbearable. Thats how sub tribes evolved. Thats how the world developed multiple tribes! Thats why we have North Sotho, and South Sotho people - a tribe divided by some or other event in history.
Why would the local population be so aggressive toward the aliens? It's for self preservation / protection of what could be considered "tribal land". Their actions can be linked directly back to the actions which would have taken place in the days of Shaka and Dingaan!! Had the Xhosa tribe split 400 years ago, and some of them moved into what is now Zululand, they would have suffered the full wrath of the Zulu Impi, with maybe only some women being spared!
I don't by any means condone the current events, but only wish to show that what is considered unnatural / brutal / barbaric by some of us, can be explained away if we stand back and consider the ancestral, historical background to the modern day Africa.
Just because they have been taught to read and write, debate, and even run countries, does not mean that the masses are all in this space, and that they will conduct themselves in the manner which the so called civilized western world expects them to. They are currently in the same space that the western world was in 400 years ago. Think about it!
More to follow, I think.
Salagatle!
LIU - Look It Up!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Olympics in China should be fun
if these typical signs are anything to go by.... I have probably 50 of these - only posting the one's which caught my eye..
No "blow fish" might be appropriate here...
Gay ablutions? Anyone seen George Micheal lately?
To hell with being PC!
Ok... whatever u say!
Not sure what they want me to do, but I did hear someone say, "repeatedly running into the same wall does not mean you ar mentally unstable, but expecting a different result each time you do it, is!"
Pedophilia should do well in China! And if you get caught, blame it on drugs!
Not right here, around the corner maybe, but not here!
I see, but can't believe....
Ok, so drunk in charge, fine $20 does not feature on the Chinese Monopoly game!
So, what does it look like b4 it's deep fried?
Is this sign for real, or is it a YOLK?
Salagatle!
No "blow fish" might be appropriate here...
Gay ablutions? Anyone seen George Micheal lately?
To hell with being PC!
Ok... whatever u say!
Not sure what they want me to do, but I did hear someone say, "repeatedly running into the same wall does not mean you ar mentally unstable, but expecting a different result each time you do it, is!"
Pedophilia should do well in China! And if you get caught, blame it on drugs!
Not right here, around the corner maybe, but not here!
I see, but can't believe....
Ok, so drunk in charge, fine $20 does not feature on the Chinese Monopoly game!
So, what does it look like b4 it's deep fried?Is this sign for real, or is it a YOLK?
Salagatle!
This guy needs to get a life
In the beginning.....
Making the wheels.....
It's taking shape - or is it?......
Do me a favour....?..... how much detail is too much?
Is he actually sitting in this thing?.....
Is this the face of a content person? Someone wha has all of his faculties in place? Somehow I dont think so....
The "happy" couple! He's so proud he now owns his own "Life size scale" model of a F1 car, and she's so chuffed it only cost them about USD 100k, and 15 years of their life..... (estimates - no detail available at time of going to print...)Salagatle!
Bikes
For those of you who have been reading this blog for a while, herewith a reminder that I have a basket case project standing in the garage, which I hope will one day look like this:-
And LuckyL would really like to have this, which I can get right now for R15k!
Salagatle!
And LuckyL would really like to have this, which I can get right now for R15k!
Salagatle!
Fishing pics
Water was quite calm despite the wind into our faces.
It wasn't good weather by any standards.
The mandatory braai - with the pinch grid on the flames to burn clean.
Pesky blaashoenders (water fowl)! I have fond memories of my dad catching one on his line once, and shooting at them with an air rifle many times in days gone by!
Mandatory "Old Brown Sherry" for the cold.
The place we were at - They have a nice big dam, with chalets on the edges, and another two or three dams with bass, and they have hunting of buck on the farm.
Salagatle!
Really silly stuff I suppose
Also this past weekend, Friday in fact, was The XXX Mr. & Miss Junior finals. LuckyL was a contestant. he doesn't enter to win (it would be nice though) but rather for the fun of the event. They get to interact with lots of nice girls (important) and learn to be comfortable on stage, doing little dance scenes, in groups, and with their partners.
They have a lot of fun. GMan has his this Friday, in the Town Hall. The seniors make more of it than the juniors do. We have been attending since GMan first went to high school, and it's fun.
However, this year for the fist time I took note of a) The names of the mom's who served on the pageant committee, and b) the names of the girls who got "Miss Personality", Second runner up, First runner up, and Miss Junior, and guess what, they are all interrelated!
Not to each other, but each of the four girls listed above, had a mom on the committee, and they were the only mom's on the committee!!!! The little lady who came first (make no mistake she is lovely) had her personal hairdressers and make up artist present! And she's been doing modeling since she was 3! I know the family, so in a way I was chuffed, but also not surprised she won, suffice to say, it is probably disappointing.
Much murmuring after wards with the other moms saying their daughters would not be entering again next year, and that's no surprise! Yup, it could be a case of sour grapes, but then the team of 5 judges were also invited by these moms, personal acquaintances? Methinks it stinks, and where there's a stink, there's shit!
Salagatle!
They have a lot of fun. GMan has his this Friday, in the Town Hall. The seniors make more of it than the juniors do. We have been attending since GMan first went to high school, and it's fun.
However, this year for the fist time I took note of a) The names of the mom's who served on the pageant committee, and b) the names of the girls who got "Miss Personality", Second runner up, First runner up, and Miss Junior, and guess what, they are all interrelated!
Not to each other, but each of the four girls listed above, had a mom on the committee, and they were the only mom's on the committee!!!! The little lady who came first (make no mistake she is lovely) had her personal hairdressers and make up artist present! And she's been doing modeling since she was 3! I know the family, so in a way I was chuffed, but also not surprised she won, suffice to say, it is probably disappointing.
Much murmuring after wards with the other moms saying their daughters would not be entering again next year, and that's no surprise! Yup, it could be a case of sour grapes, but then the team of 5 judges were also invited by these moms, personal acquaintances? Methinks it stinks, and where there's a stink, there's shit!
Salagatle!
Frost and the garden
This weekend, and in last week with the assistance of my brother) I got most of the plants and trees covered for the winter. I expect a rather cold winter, with more of the black frost we had last year.
Contractors reinforcing mesh frame, covered with shadecloth.
Now at that time I didn't even consider covering the plants, but this year, what with having spent nearly ZAR200 per tree, and I have 6 of them, and a small fortune on other plants, I decided to preempt the situation.
Shadecloth draped over machined wooden poles from Germany! Compliments of the Princess's employer!
So we bought a whole lot of shade cloth from the factory (they sell off their "reject" stuff relatively cheaply), and covered the gardens!
Shadecloth over the wall garden next to Queenies parking spot
It's not a very dense shade cloth, but then it's better than nothing, and worked out at least 15 - 20 ZAR cheaper, per running meter, than the hessian cloth we looked at first.
And over the smaller tree, using Black wattle sapling poles cut down in the veld nearby for frames.
Salagatle!
Contractors reinforcing mesh frame, covered with shadecloth.
Now at that time I didn't even consider covering the plants, but this year, what with having spent nearly ZAR200 per tree, and I have 6 of them, and a small fortune on other plants, I decided to preempt the situation.
Shadecloth draped over machined wooden poles from Germany! Compliments of the Princess's employer!
So we bought a whole lot of shade cloth from the factory (they sell off their "reject" stuff relatively cheaply), and covered the gardens!
Shadecloth over the wall garden next to Queenies parking spot
It's not a very dense shade cloth, but then it's better than nothing, and worked out at least 15 - 20 ZAR cheaper, per running meter, than the hessian cloth we looked at first.
And over the smaller tree, using Black wattle sapling poles cut down in the veld nearby for frames.
Salagatle!
Eskom - and conspiratory theories
An interesting article in yesterdays "Sunday Times", for you international guys, a local Sunday paper. It discusses the Eskom "powerless" issue, but in a new, yet conspiratory light. it's not without merit though.
In Feb/Mar/Apr (not sure when) this year, the executive team from Eskom were paid in excess of ZAR10m in Performance bonuses! This during a period of blackouts which has cost the economy billions in lost production / sales / salaries, and has probably been the cause of more than one death (including but not limited to )- directly due to traffic accidents (traffic lights not working) and indirectly support equipment available when required, and even one case I know of where some people died due to inhalation of gases / fumes from their generator they were using for power!
Now the article said they were paid bonuses for their performance last year. Ok, that makes sense, however, their bonus is paid on performance, and how this was achieved was the main topic of discussion.
It has been brought to our attention the fact that these very executives were responsible for the orders to cut back on expenses - no problem here- but this included / was mainly operational maintenance expenses! And herein lies the problem!!!
They then invested the saved moneys in a lucrative returns portfolio, which boosted the overall performance for the year of Eskom! This way they could ensure that they would make their performance targets, and get their bonuses!!!
But the rot does not stop here. There is now proof that the power we were "buying" from Mozambique, was being rerouted to Zimbabwe, as they were out of power, and had a bill of in excess of ZAR100m outstanding, so no one else was going to supply them! And, to motivate a) A massive financial boost from the government, and to give credence for their request to increase their tariffs by 60% (as they have asked for, and we await the commissions response) they initiated the so called "power shedding"!
it seems to have backfired somehow, as for the past 3 - 4 weeks (or has it been longer) we have had no power shedding. They claim it is because the businesses and residents have come to the arty with a 10% decrease in usage. We believe it's because they have started to cause more problems than it was initially calculated. It seems that most of the municipalities have older type switchgear. Being oil based, this has a work capacity of between 2 and 3 switches, and then the recommendation is for them to be switched off, the oil drained and cleaned out of it's carbon / or replaced, the contacts cleaned, and then refitted, a task with a turn around of between 3 and 7 days.
The nett effect is the continued power outages was that these substation switchgear were starting to blow up and burn out! Causing a knockdown effect of continued power outages in some big metropolitan areas, with massive negative economic impact. In fact, they had no way of ensuring that places like the airports, hospitals, and other critical installations would have access to power at any time!
In fact, we believe that with the inset of colder weather in the past 2 weeks, the residential power consumption would have gone up - the mentality of the current population is such that "If it's cold, turn on the heaters", and this should have led to increased power shedding, which it has not!
So, if the above facts are considered in conjunction with the real world situation, it very possible that the conspiracy theory as posted here is a possible reflection of the situation as factual!
Will keep tabs on this, and maybe even lend my support to any party wanting to investigate this further.
Salagatle!
In Feb/Mar/Apr (not sure when) this year, the executive team from Eskom were paid in excess of ZAR10m in Performance bonuses! This during a period of blackouts which has cost the economy billions in lost production / sales / salaries, and has probably been the cause of more than one death (including but not limited to )- directly due to traffic accidents (traffic lights not working) and indirectly support equipment available when required, and even one case I know of where some people died due to inhalation of gases / fumes from their generator they were using for power!
Now the article said they were paid bonuses for their performance last year. Ok, that makes sense, however, their bonus is paid on performance, and how this was achieved was the main topic of discussion.
It has been brought to our attention the fact that these very executives were responsible for the orders to cut back on expenses - no problem here- but this included / was mainly operational maintenance expenses! And herein lies the problem!!!
They then invested the saved moneys in a lucrative returns portfolio, which boosted the overall performance for the year of Eskom! This way they could ensure that they would make their performance targets, and get their bonuses!!!
But the rot does not stop here. There is now proof that the power we were "buying" from Mozambique, was being rerouted to Zimbabwe, as they were out of power, and had a bill of in excess of ZAR100m outstanding, so no one else was going to supply them! And, to motivate a) A massive financial boost from the government, and to give credence for their request to increase their tariffs by 60% (as they have asked for, and we await the commissions response) they initiated the so called "power shedding"!
it seems to have backfired somehow, as for the past 3 - 4 weeks (or has it been longer) we have had no power shedding. They claim it is because the businesses and residents have come to the arty with a 10% decrease in usage. We believe it's because they have started to cause more problems than it was initially calculated. It seems that most of the municipalities have older type switchgear. Being oil based, this has a work capacity of between 2 and 3 switches, and then the recommendation is for them to be switched off, the oil drained and cleaned out of it's carbon / or replaced, the contacts cleaned, and then refitted, a task with a turn around of between 3 and 7 days.
The nett effect is the continued power outages was that these substation switchgear were starting to blow up and burn out! Causing a knockdown effect of continued power outages in some big metropolitan areas, with massive negative economic impact. In fact, they had no way of ensuring that places like the airports, hospitals, and other critical installations would have access to power at any time!
In fact, we believe that with the inset of colder weather in the past 2 weeks, the residential power consumption would have gone up - the mentality of the current population is such that "If it's cold, turn on the heaters", and this should have led to increased power shedding, which it has not!
So, if the above facts are considered in conjunction with the real world situation, it very possible that the conspiracy theory as posted here is a possible reflection of the situation as factual!
Will keep tabs on this, and maybe even lend my support to any party wanting to investigate this further.
Salagatle!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)