Comments on: Where have all the “good” people gone? http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/ This blog deals with political and social issues in South Africa, mostly from the perspective of Constitutional Law. Written by Pierre de Vos Wed, 23 May 2012 10:07:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: khosi http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1015 khosi Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:09:48 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1015 Michael Graaf , You need to understand that the machine that propeled JZ to the summit is not a weak one. The are reports that as far back as 2004 this machine was in swing. You also need to understand that the trade unions are more organised that the ANC branches, which were supposed to be manned by a one Kgalema Mothlante. Only the status quo stood a chance against the 'Zuma tsunami'. I just believe that no one could have put up half the fight that TM put up, no one. Michael Graaf ,

You need to understand that the machine that propeled JZ to the summit is not a weak one. The are reports that as far back as 2004 this machine was in swing. You also need to understand that the trade unions are more organised that the ANC branches, which were supposed to be manned by a one Kgalema Mothlante. Only the status quo stood a chance against the ‘Zuma tsunami’. I just believe that no one could have put up half the fight that TM put up, no one.

]]> By: Clara http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1013 Clara Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:21:25 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1013 Ag, Wessel man, I've been busy breaking my head thinking up some good T-shirt slogans. But a little voice inside me keeps whispering that the only good South African protest is a lekker violent one - you know, burning tyres and throwing things at innocent passing motorists ... Ag, Wessel man, I’ve been busy breaking my head thinking up some good T-shirt slogans. But a little voice inside me keeps whispering that the only good South African protest is a lekker violent one – you know, burning tyres and throwing things at innocent passing motorists …

]]> By: Wessel van Rensburg http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1011 Wessel van Rensburg Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:18:20 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1011 And this company does t-shirt printing.... http://www.printagarment.co.za/html/body_services.htm And this company does t-shirt printing….

http://www.printagarment.co.za/html/body_services.htm

]]> By: Clara http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1009 Clara Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:52:05 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1009 I love the idea of a referendum, or plebiscite. In Switzerland, for example, they have them all the time, regarding political or any other vexing issues. For one thing, it makes ordinary people feel they have a voice at any time, and not having to wait until the next election. Our ruling party, one assumes, will be none too keen on this sort of thing, the idea being that once you have been elected you have been given a mandate by the masses to do whatever you like for five whole years. I love the idea of a referendum, or plebiscite. In Switzerland, for example, they have them all the time, regarding political or any other vexing issues. For one thing, it makes ordinary people feel they have a voice at any time, and not having to wait until the next election. Our ruling party, one assumes, will be none too keen on this sort of thing, the idea being that once you have been elected you have been given a mandate by the masses to do whatever you like for five whole years.

]]> By: Tanya http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1006 Tanya Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:24:40 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1006 It makes me sick to my stomach to think about the events of the past few weeks. We as South Africans put our politicians on a pedestal instead of holding them accountable for non-delivery and fraudulent, illegal behaviour. I was so embarrassed by Jacob Zuma's BBC interview played on Cape Talk this morning. He answered all his questions (funnily enough) in the way a 5th grader would. Lots of "Oh, am i? Really? OK."'s and when asked if he was a crook, answered that he would first have to look up the definition of a crook! In response, people were calling in congratulating him on how well he answered the questions! Despicable. This just shows how blind (or maybe condoning) some people still are to our dear old beloved comrade's actions. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about the events of the past few weeks. We as South Africans put our politicians on a pedestal instead of holding them accountable for non-delivery and fraudulent, illegal behaviour. I was so embarrassed by Jacob Zuma’s BBC interview played on Cape Talk this morning. He answered all his questions (funnily enough) in the way a 5th grader would. Lots of “Oh, am i? Really? OK.”‘s and when asked if he was a crook, answered that he would first have to look up the definition of a crook! In response, people were calling in congratulating him on how well he answered the questions! Despicable. This just shows how blind (or maybe condoning) some people still are to our dear old beloved comrade’s actions.

]]> By: Wessel van Rensburg http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1004 Wessel van Rensburg Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:08:28 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1004 Here is the email addresses of Cosatu's secretariat. How about emailing them, telling them that although you are heartened by Cosatu's efforts to make the government give more attention to the poor, we are shocked that Cosatu supports the disbanding of the Scorpions. Secretariat Department Co-ordinator Zakhele Cele zakhele@cosatu.org.za Public Sector Policy Co-ordinator Sifiso Khumalo sifiso@cosatu.org.za Secretary to the General Secretary Dolly Ngali dolly@cosatu.org.za Secretary to the Deputy General Secretary Nonhlanhla Hlomuka nonhla@cosatu.org.za Information Department Spokesperson Patrick Craven patrick@cosatu.org.za Here is the email addresses of Cosatu’s secretariat. How about emailing them, telling them that although you are heartened by Cosatu’s efforts to make the government give more attention to the poor, we are shocked that Cosatu supports the disbanding of the Scorpions.

Secretariat Department
Co-ordinator Zakhele Cele zakhele@cosatu.org.za

Public Sector Policy Co-ordinator
Sifiso Khumalo sifiso@cosatu.org.za

Secretary to the General Secretary
Dolly Ngali dolly@cosatu.org.za

Secretary to the Deputy General Secretary
Nonhlanhla Hlomuka nonhla@cosatu.org.za

Information Department

Spokesperson Patrick Craven patrick@cosatu.org.za

]]> By: khosi http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1003 khosi Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:08:21 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1003 As I was having lunch today, pondering my country's future so far as the justice system is concerned, something struck me. If the Scorpions are going to end up in the SAPS, is the president not trying to turn the whole of the SAPS into a truly super scorpion while appeasing his ANC bosses? I remember Nedbank trying to do the same to Standard bank some years ago. Shareholder disagreed, here shareholders are rooting for this to happen. I will not be surprised if one of the cabinet recommendation to Parliament is to have prosecution led investigations within the SAPS. As I was having lunch today, pondering my country’s future so far as the justice system is concerned, something struck me.

If the Scorpions are going to end up in the SAPS, is the president not trying to turn the whole of the SAPS into a truly super scorpion while appeasing his ANC bosses? I remember Nedbank trying to do the same to Standard bank some years ago. Shareholder disagreed, here shareholders are rooting for this to happen. I will not be surprised if one of the cabinet recommendation to Parliament is to have prosecution led investigations within the SAPS.

]]> By: Wessel van Rensburg http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1002 Wessel van Rensburg Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:00:07 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1002 Personally I am a bit amused about the relative fuss about the Scorpions. Is the preventable Aids deaths of thousands, what happened in Frere, the Arms deal - documented in after the party, not enough etc etc? Shoud people not have been up in arms a while ago? Having said that, its clear there is a sea change in public opinion around the issue of the Scorpions. And tis should be nurtured. What can one do? Well perhaps organising a public protest is in order? Mobilise people, make posters, stickers, SMS, write songs, wear t-shirts, create a web site. Personally I am a bit amused about the relative fuss about the Scorpions. Is the preventable Aids deaths of thousands, what happened in Frere, the Arms deal – documented in after the party, not enough etc etc? Shoud people not have been up in arms a while ago?

Having said that, its clear there is a sea change in public opinion around the issue of the Scorpions. And tis should be nurtured.

What can one do? Well perhaps organising a public protest is in order? Mobilise people, make posters, stickers, SMS, write songs, wear t-shirts, create a web site.

]]> By: Michael Graaf http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-1001 Michael Graaf Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:43:56 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-1001 Don´t let Mbeki off the hook. He should never have contested Polokwane, anyone could see he thereby excluded any realistic rival to Zuma. And if the Selebi matter hadn´t displayed the hallmarks of top-level interference, the perception of the Scorpions being a selective political tool would not have been reinforced - and their defenders would have more impact. Don´t let Mbeki off the hook. He should never have contested Polokwane, anyone could see he thereby excluded any realistic rival to Zuma. And if the Selebi matter hadn´t displayed the hallmarks of top-level interference, the perception of the Scorpions being a selective political tool would not have been reinforced – and their defenders would have more impact.

]]> By: rothkored http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/where-have-all-the-good-people-gone/#comment-999 rothkored Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:06:36 +0000 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/?p=469#comment-999 Hear, hear. It's refreshing and inspiring to hear a dissident voice of reason. I think you've hit the nail on the head. How can I, an ordinary South African citizen, express my disappointment and help to prevent these abuses of power? Hear, hear. It’s refreshing and inspiring to hear a dissident voice of reason. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head.

How can I, an ordinary South African citizen, express my disappointment and help to prevent these abuses of power?

]]>