Disclaimer

So, this is my Blog, my thoughts / feelings / ideas. You may comment if you like. If you attack me, I come back at you with reckless / racist / suicidal abandon. If you compliment me, I thank you. If you don't ever visit again I don't care. Other than that, just enjoy what I write, or not.
Salagatle!


LIU - Look It Up!

LIU
-->
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts

Monday, October 08, 2012

R.I.P Brother....

Biker president killed in accident

‘Evil’ Erik was the national president of the motorcyle association
08 October 2012 | Siyabonga Ngwenya
Mr 'Evil' Erik Edeling, a father of two, was killed in a motorcyle accident on Sunday afternoon on the R25 on his way home to Kempton Park.

"We were travelling home from the Classic Motorcyle Club. A truck that did not stop at the stop street crossed over from the right hand side as we were approaching from under the Zuurfontein bridge," said Mr Hilton Labuschagne, who had known Mr Edeling for more than 10 years.

Mr Labuschagne recalls that he saw his friend swerve to try and avoid the collision. He fell off his bike and slid under the left back wheel.

"There was a lot of smoke when he braked," he said.
According to ER 24 spokesman, André Visser, Edeling died on the scene.

An avid lover of Kawasaki motorcycles, he was the national president of the Tudor Rebels Motorcycle Association for the past 27 years and a well-known member of the biker community. He was the owner of the popular motorcyle shop, Motorcyle Magic, on Long Street.

"He loved bikes and even opened a bike hospital on End Street in Joburg that sold second hand motorcyles," recalled Mr Labuschagne.

Terrible way to die - and that because a PDI (Read kaffir) didn't stop, and that, because the cops don't do their jobs!!!

Salagatle!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Update 3 - the hearing

Following my release, I got hold of another attorney, a friend of mine in fact, who I trust to look after my interests. He was not available the previous day, and that was why I called on the other "no show" lawyer.
Anyway, he was still in Cape Town. All he said was to appear in court, and tell the magistrate that my council was attending to matters in Cape Town, and respectfully requests a postponement for 3 weeks for "discovery". LuckyL and I arrived at the court before 8am. The doors / gates only open at 8.30 or 9! The lawyer who was involved with arranging my release turned up, as I had requested his attendance to do the request for postponement. Anyway, he said the roll would only come up around 11.30, and he had something to attend to in Randburg, so would be back. I said that he didn't have to worry, as I was confident enough to address the magistrate with the request myself. Done, he left, and we waited. And we waited a long, longtime. These clowns have fuckall else to do other then collect the dockets for hearing, and enter them onto a list to put up on the board, so that everyone knows which court they need to appear in. That came out at 11.30. It's no wonder our courts are overflowing with cases, they work a fucking half day. As it was, I heard that there was a braai arranged for the afternoon, so the courts would close by 1pm! WTF! Start after 11.30, and stop by 1!!!!

Anyway, we found my name, went to the relevant court room, and sat and waited to be called up. Eventually it was my turn, I went up onto the dock, made my statement, and he agreed to postpone for 3 weeks - next court date is the 21 September.

Next Tuesday I had a meeting with my attorney.  I gave him the whole run down, information, contact names, and the authority to gather information. His opinion is that with the video evidence, this could probably be withdrawn. I sure hope so.
He copied me in on an email he sent to the Risk Manager at the store, the guy who gave me his card, asking for any / all information he might have. The response came back - with their internal investigation, he was unable to get even one statement. Not one - with all those morons who can be seen on the video actually being involved? Well, obviously none of them want to confirm that their colleague threatened me, so they rather say nothing. Which is great as far as I can see. If they couldn't give their employers a statement, then how can they be called as witnesses in the court? And if they cant, then it's his word against mine and LuckyL's! If anyone does come to be a witness, I am going to advise my attorney to ask them for a copy of the statement they gave to their employers. Thing is, if they "didn't" see anything then, they cant testify now, or, they were lying to their employer, so, whats to say they not lying now??

So, first prize will be if the advocate that we are going to chat to, who has a very good relationship with the Chief Public Prosecutor, can get them to withdraw the charges. If that does notwork, the video footage, and the fact that he has no witnesses basically means he has no case. So, we will see where this goes.

Salagatle!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Service Please!

Every now and then I get into a store where the service just does not meet my expectations. Don't get me wrong, I know the limitations of our Previously Disadvantaged Individuals, so my expectations from them is quite low, but hey, is it my fault that the Limpopo province Education department decided to throw all the school text books away, instead of delivering them to the schools? Is it my fault that in 18 years the ANC Regime has been unable to deliver a reasonable level of education? Is it my fault that the PDI's have the mentality, and attitude of people born to beg? Be beaten? Be really stupid?
No.

So, I can be your best customer, or, if you wish I will be the customer from hell. I leave the decision to you as the service provider, salesman, customer facing person.

Saturday, 14 July 2012. LuckyL and I go into the local Makro store (LIU). We are on a mission here to procure, at the best possible price, with the minimum disruption a 30" flat screen TV, a DSTV decoder, and a wall bracket to mount the TV on the wall. All of the above items to be procured are for installation in the Matriarchs home.

We had done our on-line investigation before leaving home, and found what we wanted, at what store, and for how much. This should be a quick in and out excursion into the realms of the retail world.

A requirement here in sunny South Africa when you want to buy a TV, is that you must produce a valid TV license. It's stupid really, because a) The license fees go to the State owned (and run) broadcaster - SABC, and even though you might never ever watch any of the boring, politically incorrect, and grammatically challenged channels that they broadcast, you have to have a license to get a TV. OK, so we have one in the family. It happens to be on the Princess's name, but it's OUR FAMILY TV LICENSE!

So, armed with the TV license, my ID Document, credit card, debit card, and cheque book (you never know), the two of enter the bellows of the Makro monster, where people are spending money they don't have, salesmen are either non-existent, or un-knowledgeable, (or both) and the queues are not for the feint hearted.

We quickly move over to the area where we know the good we want to buy are displayed. We find a salesman - yup, PDI, but then today you don't find too many sales people in this kind of environment that are not PDI's. I have a very low expectation of / from him. "Do you have stock of this TV product that's on special?" "yes." "OK, get me one." And I need a DSTV Decoder, and a wall bracket. We get the wall bracket, look at the DSTV decoders, and don't find the model we want, so park that, we will get it elsewhere. OK, go get me a TV from the stock room. At this point he needs my TV License, and ID Document. The names don't match. License is on the Princesses name, and it's my ID. "Sorry, we can't do that", he says. I explain that I bought a TV from another retail this way a few month previously. All they need is to make a copy of the license, my ID document, then enter the Princesses ID number into the system to verify that the License is current and paid up.

Blank look. This is not how it's written on the blackboard which doubles up as his brain. "Call me a manager please, and we can resolve this," I say. Expecting that the manager might have a blackboard with side notes that would explain this deviation from the process, and take us through the next steps without hiccups.
Ah, I have too much faith in my fellow earth dwellers, and give too much credit where it's oh, so not due! I should in fact have asked for "Get me a white manager!", that may have been better, but I was not in the mood to insult the salesperson, yet. The PDI manager arrives. (How did he become a manager I have to ask myself? Is it because he's been with the company for the longest of all the other salespeople? Is it natural progression based on sales achievements. or, and I suspect this is the reason, it's the Makro way of getting BEE points! (BEE - LIU)

Anyway, I explain the situation to him. He says we can't do that, we need the ID book of the person named on the TV License. I know that's crap, but decide I'll take my business elsewhere. I really was not going to get into this with these cretins at this time.

My parting comment was "Ah, that's bullshit!", and I start to turn to go. His comeback to me was "Maybe you must take your bullshit somewhere else!" I heard it, but didn't react, well, not immediately anyway. LuckyL, who had been standing by all this time, went ballistic straight off the blasting pad. Calm to suicidal murderer in one second. "Come outside and I'll teach you about bullshit!" he says to the PDI manager. I spin around to check for reactions, and this fucking moron - who is a manager - and is standing with one of his salespeople - comes back with - "We go outside and I will fuck you up!"

That was my cue - ballistic in 1 second - I reach out for him with the sole intention to rip his head off, shit on his lungs through the now open cavity, and then report him for having bad breath! I intended to rip his arm off, and beat him with the bloody end. I really pictured how I would put his head through the front of a 40" HD LCD flat screen TV. But before I could deliver the 'coup de grace", we were surrounded by more PDI sales people than I ever imagined worked at this place!!!! I challenged him, a few times, he kept giving me lip, so at the first opportunity I had that I got within reach of him, I gave him what is affectionately referred to in South Africa as a solid POES KLAP!

The level of surprise on his face was priceless. The efforts of them who were trying to keep us apart increased tenfold. I was mad. This mother was going down! It took a few minutes for a white manager to turn up, take control. At this time - he who had the stinging face was telling the others not to let us leave - was on his phone, apparently to phone the police! Good idea I told him, then they can fuck you up as well!

The white guy (Risk Manager) calmed things down some, asked what was going on, got a bit of the story from me, and asked me for my details. "What for?" I asked, and he just gave me his card and said, thought I could maybe of help to you, but here's my card, you can contact me if need be. At this point I calmly said, tell that fuck to let me leave, before I really get pissed off. And that was that!!!! One of the security / salespeople (not sure what he was other then PDI) seemed to follow us out. Probably to get my registration number. No problem.

Yesterday I went onto the Makro website, and sent them this email:-

Makro StrubensValley
On Saturday morning I went to the above store with my son. We went to buy a TV, a DSTV decoder and a wall mounting bracket. I had the family TV license (on my wife's name) and my ID Book. I had previously bought a TV this way, so thought it would be OK, as the TV license gets verified online with the wife's ID number anyway. One of your salesmen told me it could not be done, as, according to him, the process had changed. I asked for a manager - some guy came over and said that's how it is, the rules had changed. My response was "That's bullshit"!(I accept that maybe it's not the way TV license checks are done, but that's a different discussion.) His response to me was "Take your bullshit and go somewhere else!" At this point I did not react, but my son called him out "Come outside and I'll teach you bullshit", or words to this effect. The salesman's response was "I'll fuck you up!" That put me on tilt, and I took him on. There were several Makro employees stepping between us, with him continuing to bait me, till I slapped him. Then he was all about calling the police, refusing to let us leave, etc. Eventually, the Risk Manager introduced himself, calmed the situation, gave me his card, and allowed us to leave. Well Done Mr. R/Manager - however, if this is the way your sales people talk to their clients, well, suffice to say I have cut up my card and will never be back. I am disgusted, and he's lucky to have got away with just a slap! Once outside I noticed one of the security people had followed us out, and probably made a note of my registration number. I don't have a problem with that either way, not too sure what he thinks he can do with a registration number. However,  I trust that Makro will, at the very least, make sure their staff know how to talk to the clients! Interested to hear your response in this matter.
Mr. X Xxxxxx - ex Client.



We went to another store, and bought what we wanted, with no problem. Methinks that kaffir was having a bad day, and I just gave him a reason to have a worse one!

Salagatle!

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

A never ending cycle

Those of you who have read my blog for some time will know that I'm not happy working where I do, and that for some time I have been waiting for an offer from another company who really want me on board, but actually can't afford me. Sounds a bit presumptuous of me, but they can't. I have a minimum cost of living to meet, and can't take a job offer for less money at this time.

Had a long chat with a mate this morning, and he's of the opinion I am wasting my time both here and in the next place. Says that I have what it takes to go out there on my own, and do something for myself. he's probably right, but at 50 something, that''s a damn long shot, and the risk is enormous. If it does not work, I stand to lose everything I have worked for over the past 37 years - yup, I started working at 16.

It's a bad space to be in right now. I'm not performing up to expectations in my position, more because of the economy being down, and my client set being "independently self sufficient" in the services I am supposed to sell them. Also, the targets that have been set are so unachievable, that even if I was able to close a bunch of deals, I could never make the expected number, hence can not earn the level of commissions I could / should be earning.

I suppose going out in my own is an option - I just need to find a service that I can offer the market which is in demand, and which the market is willing to pay for.

I have a strong Mechanical Engineering background - Qualified Fitter 7 Turner, Mechanical Design Draughtsman,  Engineering sales, Quality Assurance, Workshop Management, Project Management (Engineering). Some of the skills I have the required certifications for, some I have learned on the way, and can do very well, but have no paperwork to back it up, other than letters of reference. Apart from sales, I have not done much of the other work for many years, so I'd probably be a  bit rusty, and maybe even out of date with regards changes in the policies, and regulations.

Ultimately, I just want to enjoy whatever I do. I want to have the life style we enjoyed as a family 10 years ago. Why should I be disadvantaged because I'm white, middle aged, and a long term employee? In fact, my manager made a comment last week Friday about "Considering what your salary is"..... but didn't continue. What he was talking about was the fact that the senior management are putting pressure on him to get me out, but he's unwilling because my output far exceeds the standard, and he knows that to replace me would cost the company probably 10 - 15% more, and with a person who will not be able to perform at my level for probably 6 - 8 months! He knows that deal closing is not where it should be, but also understands the reasons. Management up the line don't care about the reason, that have a spreadsheet to drive, and that's how the business is conducted.

Either way, I don't mind. I have on numerous occasions over the past 12 months asked for them to give me a package - "Mutual separation agreement" - I'm happy to depart fora settlement of  2 weeks per year served - they don't even take it into consideration.

The end result will be that either they fire me for non-performance, or I resign cause I can't put up with the crap anymore. And in both cases I land up going to the CCMA (LIU), and making a case against the employer and will probably get 6 months severance pay anyway!

Any comments will be accepted - however, if you want to tell me to stop whining and go do something about it, I will tell you to piss off. This is my blog, a place where I get to vent my feelings and emotions as I see fit, and that is exactly what I have done today.

Salagatle!

Monday, June 04, 2012

Governments, and thier intelligence

So, received an email from DMdad (who does not post on his blog anymore), and felt that this deserves posting. Couldn't be bothered to check it's origin, or validity.


1.2.64 Definitions for Pipes as amended per Government Gazette 6784A/45297/BZ/a1


1. All pipes are to be made of a long hole, surrounded by metal copper or plastic, centred around the hole.
2. All pipes are to be hollow throughout the entire length ‐ do not use holes of different length than the pipe.
3. The ID (Inside Diameter) of all pipe must not exceed their OD (Outside Diameter) ‐ otherwise the hole will be on the outside.
4. The pipe is supplied with nothing in the hole, so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside at a later date.
5. All pipe is to be supplied without rust; this can be more readily applied at the job site. NOTE: Some vendors are now able to supply pre‐rusted pipes. If available in your area, this product is recommended, as it will save a great deal of time at the job site.
6. All pipe over 150m in length should have the words "LONG PIPE" clearly painted on each side and end, so the contractor will know it's a long pipe.
7. Pipe over 3000m in length must also have the words "LONG PIPE" painted in the middle so the contractor will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine whether it is a long or short pipe.
8. All pipe over 1.8m in diameter must have the words "LARGE PIPE" painted on it, so the contractor won't mistake it for a small pipe.
9. Flanges can be used on pipes. Flanges must have holes for bolts, quite separate from the big holes in the middle.
10. When ordering 90 or 30 degree elbows, be sure to specify left‐hand or right‐hand, otherwise you will end up going the wrong way.
11. Be sure to specify to your vendor whether you want level, uphill or downhill pipe. If you use downhill pipe for going uphill, the water will flow the wrong way.
12. All couplings should have either right‐hand or left‐hand threads, but do not mix the threads, otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed on to one pipe, it is being unscrewed from the other.
13. All pipes shorter than 3mm are very uneconomical in use, requiring many joints. They are generally known as washers.
14. Joints in pipes for water must be watertight. Those pipes for compressed air, however, need only be airtight.
15. Lengths of pipes may be welded or soldered together. This method is not recommended for concrete or earthenware pipes.
16. Other commodities are often confused with pipes. These include; Conduit, Tube, Tunnel, and Drain. Use only genuine pipes

Salagatle!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Zuma Painting

This is now going beyond ridiculous. I understand that there is a mass march demonstration planned for Tue. 29 May, on the gallery where the Zuma painting is / was on show. WTH? It no longer exists in it's original form, so whats the point? Other than it's another day off work, a chance to up end a whole lot of litter bins, steal from some poor hawkers, and just generally cause mayhem. OK, so there is good reason..... Morons!
Salagatle!

Friday, May 25, 2012

More on the now infamous painting

And so it grows.... The number of rip-offs, that is....  :)





Salagatle!