More job losses...self inflicted though!

You have to love logic...it makes most things in the universe fall into place.
Sadly, logic is not one of the things possessed by many in leadership South Africa.

Last year striking miners made worldwide headline with their confrontation with police, leaving over thirty dead. The unions dragged the strike out and in doing so, damaged the cash flow of the mine. Billions of Rand was lost- not only income to the mine, but to South Africa. But, unions are all about politics and even though the mining companies tried to work compromises, the unions (who's leaders were funnily enough, still receiving an income) stood their ground. This, despite warnings that the high increases they were requesting could not be sustained by the companies involved. Apparently that does not matter to the unions though.
So, the workers received high pay increases, with a warning that it would drain the companies.

Flash forward to 2013. Anglo Platinum has announced that it would close four shafts and have to sell a mine. 14 000 jobs are on the line. Yes, this is shocking and extremely sad. So, how does The Amplats Workers Committee react- they call a strike to bring Anglo 'to it's knees'. Great thinking. The company needs to downsize as it is, so hey, let's damage it further and see how many more we can add to the 14 000 jobs already on the line. Logic at it's best.

Cleverly The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has asked it's members not to strike, while it negotiates with the company to save as many jobs as possible. (NUM was the only large union willing to compromise in last years strikes). The second union, who was the main cause of the earlier never-ending strike, the Association of mineworkers and construction union (Amcu) tell us they will be 'guided by their member's calls'. Also with a bit of prodding I am sure.

This defies logic...but then, so does South Africa in many aspects. Of course, the ANC led government is also threatening to re-look at mining licenses for those mines who are restructuring, giving unmined shafts to 'those who want to mine'-whoever they may be.

This is no isolated case either, wildcat strikes have caused Harmony Gold, Harmony Platinum and Aquarius Platinum to re- look at their operations at some mines, which may lead to further closures.

Considering South Africa was built on mining and remains a mining giant, the government needs to step up and provide leadership. Threatening is not leadership. The government need to have open discussions and understand where the mining companies are coming from. Furthermore, many in government have a financial interest in the mining industry (our future deputy president for example), so they will blow smoke, but tread carefully when it is time for action.

The unions and the government use the lack of education by the masses as a tool for power. The company bosses only care about the bottom line. There has to be a compromise that would work. For the sake of our economy, they need to find it quickly.

The Joke of SA Education.

As a new school year begins, I feel a need to reflect on the past Matric/National Senior Certificate (NSF)/ Grade 12 year and specifically the much celebrated results.

What does one need to pass the NSF or any other grade in South Africa:
40% in your home language.
30% in a second language.
30% in mathematical literacy or mathematics.
40% in life orientation.
40% in one of the remaining three subjects.
30% in other two

Now, with this in mind, our esteemed Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga (who did not cover herself in glory during 2012) is very pleased that some 73% of learners (formerly known as Pupils) passed the NSF. This guru on education states that the 2012 results would 'restore confidence' in our schooling. (seriously).
She does not of course comment on the estimated 50% of Grade ones who never make it to Matric or even the 40% of Grade 11's who never see Grade 12.
She also failed to bring up her stuff about about the non delivery of text books last year.

Reflecting on the percentage required to pass, how stupid must one be to actually fail? You see, when the ANC took over, they could not keep a system from the past (whether it was working or not) and replaced it with their own dysfunctional one. The ANCs 'free education' election promise also burned like a vampire in the midday sun. Schooling now cost as much as university did back then.
Year after year the pass rate was pathetic...so these brilliant minds take a look at what they can fix to rectify this troublesome situation.

Did they decide to look at the syllabus..nah....the quality of schools..nah...the quality of teaching..nah..the study material nah....I mean, how would improving any of those help make more people pass? Why improve the system.
So they did what any clever government think- tank does when marks are low....lower the pass rate. Genius. Who would have thought of that. And as a result, the under achievers also get a shot at passing. Talk about a good idea.

Now, the Education Department and ANC government or gloating in their self made sense of achievement..ignoring the reality- that the quality of the NSF is so low that most who are lucky enough to move on to higher education, will not even see out the first year and any country outside Africa, will pass out laughing if any prospective job seeker presented their NSF Certificate to them.
It is a fact that most high school learners do not know know how to read or write properly...and this is not even mentioning the spelling. Even worse- the Teachers themselves could not pass their own tests they were asked to write at the beginning of this year.

So..as 2013 commence  I suggest that we reduce the pass mark to 10% across all subjects and then next year we can celebrate the 85% NSF pass rate...I should be in government! Oh right...if I was then my brats would be in a private school and not subject to the Department of Educations quality education.

2013.......

.....a new year begins.....2012 ended on a very busy note..and I neglected my blog...shame on me...but 2013 should see me getting my arse in gear once more and I will try to post as much as I can...sorry for being such a stranger to all of those who visit on a regular basis....

The Prince has no clothes

I know I have written a lot about the royals..and today I continue my anti- tribute to the leeches of public funds.

We all know that British Prince Harry is a bit of a wild one. It is also pretty much world news that our beloved Prince of Responsibility had a wild night in Vegas, playing naked pool and drinking his royal heart out. There are also rumours of the use of cocaine and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Wonderful behaviour from a member of a family who is so special, they do not have to work, yet are paid millions to well...not work...and I bet the entertainment was on Harry's bill...or well, the daft taxpayer's bill rather...

Anyway....so our beloved Prince Tax Leech, uses his tax fueled pay to live it up..only the best for Royalty...while many of their subjects are living on the breadline..or worse.

Then, when he is exposed to public shame, who is to blame for this...his security detail. It is them who should have stopped the photos and (supposed) video from being taken.

Here is some perspective..Prince H is approaching 30, is a Captain in the military and a helicopter pilot...so why in the world would he not be held responsible for his own stupid behaviour. Why blame his security detail. Granted, they do bear some blame, but the main culprit is Prince Brat himself.

This further fuels my argument that the entire royal family, and not only those of Britain, should be scrapped. They are and will always be a drain on the taxpayer, funding that could be much better used elsewhere. But, as it stands, they are held in high regard for doing nothing, other than being lucky enough to be born into the correct bloodline...and milk it from then on forward...they are no better than their subjects..who actually work hard to pay over the taxes to keep the royals doing nothing..great gig.

Massacre Hijacked

Lonmin Mine is now known worldwide.
Last week the world was exposed to South Africa's violent side once more, as the reporters from various countries worldwide witness, photographed and filmed as the Police shot dead 34 striking miners..and injured scores more. I am not going to go into a debate whether the shooting was correct or incorrect. There was evidence that the police were fired at first and they responded with live ammunition. Whether this was heavy handed, is up for much debate.

No matter who was to blame the fact is, sadly people were killed and many seem to forget how two policemen were killed the previous day by the very same miners.

Another innocent victim was a poor innocent rabbit that was savagely killed for no reason by the strikers. Apparently the miners were preparing for war, as a Traditional Healer was performing rituals on the miners to ensure their protection against police firearms. Seriously. The Healer warned them not to kill the rabbit, but in their infinite wisdom and need to be savage, they killed the poor animal. Many blame the killing of the rabbit for the high death toll. The strikers were armed, as is evident, so they were looking for confrontation. The blame really lies with plain stupidity and aggression.

My biggest issue was that there was a need for leadership. Their are two workers Unions fighting for power. Again the waters are muddied and the ignorant are used as pawns. Political figures quickly turned this into a chance to gain popularity and spread their cause, the first being that ever so brilliant, Julius Malema. Again he attacked Jacob Zuma and the ANC, using this as a way to score points with the people. However, anybody who was fooled by his presence, is stupid right the way through. He saw a platform am and took it. He does not care about the people..he cares about his failed political career. ANC members also attended the memorials and chose to make this a high profile event, although they did not respond directly to Malema.

This was a tragic week for South Africa, but the lack of respect displayed by politicians, is probably the saddest part of it all..

The Queen and The Queen.....

Today we move away from South African politics and move on to royalty.....no, not those annoying princes...or their relations, but the queens of pop.....yes, Elton John (still chuckle at the Sir part) and Madonna.

In a recent interview on an Aussie news and current affair program, old Elton went off at Mads....saying her career is over, her latest tour was a disaster and it could not happen to a bigger c$#@. And then he continues to knock her current music, calling her a 'fairground stripper'. Then the gem comes at the end.."She's been horrible to (lady) Gaga."

For some perspective...Lady Gaga (another misuse of the word'Lady') is godmother to Elton and his partner's (David Furnish) adoptive son, Zackery.
Here is the first point...Elton obviously has not know Gaga for long and besides, which sane person would make her a godmother of anything- including a pet goldfish.

Then old Mads, basically said that Gaga's song 'Born this way' was a rip off of 'Express yourself'..although she did think it was a 'wonderful way to redo my song'. Real Nasty Elton.

So, the Queen is at the Queen in a long and let's face it, boring public spat. 3 year old children display more maturity than this.

Another little thorn in old Elton's side, was that Madonna's 'Masterpiece' (from the movie WE) won a Golden Globe award where Queen Eltons songs for Gnomeo and Juliet did not.

And so this really childish and sadly public spat continues as neither covers themselves in glory and both seek to suck as much attention from their waning careers....instead of doing what the old rockers do....make music and shut up about shit...

The 2012 Oscar goes to Mr Selebi...

We could start a blog on the goings on of the African Police Chiefs, past and present.

We visit an old story, with a new but predictable twist.
Two weeks ago, after serving a whole two months of a 15 years sentence, Ex INTERPOL and SAPS boss, Comrade Jacki was released of medical parole. To keep up appearances, he was transferred to the Steve Biko hospital and then to Jakaranda Hospital, in Pretoria. It was rumoured that he was receiving dialysis three times a day for his medical condition.
His diagnosis is supposedly: Renal failure, possible cancer and diabetes. He was released by the 'new' Medical Parole Advisory Board as he was in the 'final stages of his disease'. (We have heard that one before- a certain Schabir Shaik, picture below, was also in the last stages of living, but made a miracle recovery and is pretty actively living it up around Durban's night life and golf courses.)

For those of you who can remember, a pretty well looking Selebi suddenly became gravely ill once his appeal against his sentence was dismissed. He apparently collapsed and was taken to hospital. (and at that time the media and public were predicting he would see a medical parole release.)

Firstly Selebi received preferential treatment when jumping the queue of some 80 other patients, for dialysis,  and secondly, he is granted medical parole in a short time, whilst many other near death patients, who apply are denied and die in prison.

Sources at Steve Biko hospital, report that Mr Freedom 2012, has not reported to the hospital for dialysis for a week now, supposedly now needing it every 48 hours.
Even more disturbing, are that Selebi is using his police medical aid to obtain private medical service. If a convicted fraudster, with not means of income, still has the right to use his police medical aid, surely something is seriously wrong.

He is now under House arrest....his parole conditions are considered strict bu the department of correctional service. You decide...from Monday to Friday he has two hours free time and weekend..where he can go to church, buy a newspaper, go for coffee and so on. Help me understand how this is strict? If he is so sick, he should not even be able to go out..but hey..as we have seen with politically connected people, they are prone to miracle recoveries. (oh and any medical treatment, even if it takes the whole day away from his prison home, is not counted as free time.)

Further- he may not use drugs or abuse alcohol. Now- somebody in the so called, final stages of renal failure, should not even be allowed to be within a 100 meters of any form of alcohol, let alone, not abuse it.
Unless he has permission he cannot leave the Pretoria area or move houses.

Obvioulsy everybody who can, is denying any political influence...but please..how stupid do the authorities think the public is?
Soon he will make another recovery and as with Mr S, who plays golf often, his parole conditions will be lessened and he will be a free crook.....great lesson this sends out to the youngsters...and a great message to the world..

The South African Money Bermuda Triangle

South Africa has grown a reputation for being The Bermuda Triangle of money.... seriously. In SA, money vanishes..and here we are today, to discuss another mysterious case....

In 2010, acting president, Kgalema Motlanthe (below), signed a proclamation, ordering the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to investigate three officials and the department, after the department awarded a R1 Billion tenders, apparently incorrectly. The investigation was to go back to 2006.
In the end, the department could not account for R62 Million in assets, procedures had been bypassed when awarding tenders in favour of chosen contractors and the department overspend by R722 Million. (in short)

Our three magicians are: Former health department head, Sybil Ngcobo, former chief financial officer, Fanuel Meso and deputy director general, Obakeng Moekeletsi. These three are responsible for a grand total of R16 Million vanishing. David Copperfield could have learnt a thing or two from these crooks.

The SIU made recommendations, one being claims for damages be made against these individuals, for the missing funds. This was in April/September 2011....and to date, not one of these slimy magicians has been arrested or charged. Apparently the matter was referred to the Anti Corruption Task Team..and (wait for it)..the investigation is at a sensitive stage...always the easy cop-out.

But, the truth is...up till now, nothing has been done....3 people who have been found responsible for making R16 Million vanish into their pockets, are still free to spend their 'rewards' for a job well done.

I am sure another interesting episode of the Money Bermuda Triangle will be on this blog page soon...knowing our corrupt government...

From Crook to Cop and back again

South Africa is slowly becoming the land of opportunity...well for some.

Today we bring the heart warming tale of a crook turned cop.

Here is a typical, only in South Africa tale. Brigadier Musa Khumalo had a fine record of bringing down crime syndicates. His record boasted the recovery of over 40 stolen vehicles and hijacked cars. What a crime buster.

Then our super-cop's face was recognized by his co-workers in KZN when Johannesburg police circulated a photo of him. Then the story unfolded...Khumalo escaped from jail about a year, with the help of a warden..fled to KZN where adopted a senior police rank and proceeded to act in that role for around a year, undetected. He was initially arrested for murder and was thought to be involved in a car theft and hijacking syndicate. It emerged that his proud arrest records was in fact his way of ridding his syndicate of the competition.

Musa entered South Africa legally from Zimbabwe and then proceeded to obtain false documents. According to Home Affairs, Khumalo was declared dead in 2008.
After his escape from custody in Jo'burg, he fled to KZN, making friends with policeman and introducing himself as a brigadier from the Hawks unit. Soon he was insisting with investigation and gaining the trust of the other cops. With his 'working' knowledge of the crimes, he was handy in bringing his rivals down.

He has since disappeared once more and is being sought by police. Watch your local police station....or he may be our next general....got to love it..

The Police Chief's Side Step..

Finding a South African Police Commissioner has been an uphill battle in South Africa...all have been political appointments and all have turned up full of dirt. Drum roll....the first female police commissioner is appointed with all the blah blah and promises that comes with the historic appointment and the top post. For a while, we thought we could have smiled....and then, the curse struck...

It turns out that Newly appointed Police Commissiner General Riah Phiyega was a director of a company called Lefatshe Technologies. On the face of it, there appears to be nothing wrong with this. However, things are never so simple. The sting comes when we find out that Phiyega resigned as director a few days before she headed a probe into the company for fraud and corruption. 

She sees this as no problem, as she resigned before heading the probe....

For the record- the probe found against the company and the CEO and several top managers dismissed. A bullet well dodged on the general's side?

Further to this, she is also linked to a company, Kapela Capital, which owns 40% share of XON, which company supplies the SAPS with IT equipment. 

Once again a politician is appointed a Top Cop to protect our president and once again, there are skeletons in the closet. If the government were serious about fighting crime, they would appoint a career police person, who had the experience in the force and who did not have shadows they had to hide.