GUEST COLUMN

Give power to the people

2017-02-12 06:06

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After a hectic 22 years’ rule by a democratically elected ANC government, South Africa’s post-1994 dispensation has proved too much to bear for many citizens.

There was a time when the world regarded our country as a beacon of hope. This occurred after we succeeded in narrowly avoiding a racially charged civil war in the 1994 build-up to our new democracy.

When elections and the transfer of power proved to be a relatively peaceful process, global observers called South Africa “the greatest racial miracle the world as ever seen”.

Fast-forward to today, and South Africa has been pegged as a country to avoid. One reason is the high crime rate which continues to plague our nation.

This continuing curse is defined by violence in its many and varied forms.

For example, towards the end of 2003, South Africa experienced its first wave of service-delivery protests.

At the time of the outbreak, many dismissed it as temporary, and part and parcel of the country’s transition from apartheid to democracy. It would not be long before matters returned to normal, they said.

We all know how wrong they were.

The flames of violent protests have been vigorously fanned, culminating in the Marikana massacre of August 2012 – described online as “the single most lethal use of force by South African security forces against civilians since 1960”.

Earlier, in 2006, the trade union movement experienced its darkest hour post democracy when a series of killings – the brutal byproduct of trade union rivalry – brought the country to the brink of instability.

And recently, the higher education sector has been brought to a standstill by students calling for economic transformation and a change in the education system.

Having seen what has happened since democracy, it is safe to assume that the country cannot depend on leaders who were involved in bringing about the new dispensation to turn things around and instil order.

Where did it all go wrong for South Africa? How did we get here? Let us go back to the early 1990s, during the series of negotiations for a new South Africa. These took place under the banner of the Convention for a Democratic SA (Codesa).

A major oversight then was that not all communities, organisations and other South African stakeholders were present at those talks.

The political organisations which took part in the discussions were more concerned about their own agendas than what was best for the country.

If they had placed South Africa’s interests first, we would not still be calling for an electoral system favouring the masses, who remain as voiceless and marginalised as they were during Codesa.

The political organisations which dominated the Codesa talks engineered a party-based democracy.

It looked good on paper, but these days has come to refer to a governing party which calls the shots. Its cadres have to toe the party line or risk being punished for disloyalty.

Codesa proved to be flawed as the electorate have now become mere voters during election time. At other times, they have no say in how and what the party they vote for does, including how they elect their president.

Accountability and transparency from party leaders and elected representatives are nonexistent.

What’s more disturbing is that the opposition parties do not appear to bother much about the masses either.

If the country has a credible civil society, it must campaign for presidential electoral reform to restore power to the people – and do so now.

Mgudlwa is a journalist and writer of the bestselling children’s book Kiddies World

FOOD PRODUCTION

REALfarmacy.com

Why Growing Food is The Single Most Impactful Thing You Can Do in a Corrupt Political System

The most effective change-makers in our society aren’t waiting around for a new president to make their lives better, they’re planting seeds, quite literally, and through the revolutionary act of gardening, they’re rebuilding their communities while growing their own independence.

Every four years when the big election comes around, millions of people put their passion for creating a better world into an increasingly corrupt and absurd political contest. What if that energy was instead invested in something worthwhile, something that directly and immediately improved life, community, and the world at large?

The simple act of growing our own food directly challenges the control matrix in many authentic ways, which is why some of the most forward-thinking and strongest-willed people are picking up shovels and defiantly starting gardens. It has become much more of a meaningful political statement than supporting political parties and candidates.

Propaganda gardening, a combination of guerrilla gardening and political protest, is about developing self-sufficiency while making a simple, yet bold statement about the world we all share, and the rules we choose to live by. [Source]

Take, for example, Ron Finley, the ‘Guerrilla Gardener’ from Los Angeles who inspires the world with no-nonsense truth about how the corporate food system enslaves us, while proving to us that the most effective weapon in this fight is fertile soil. He makes growing veggies cool again, as it should be, because food sovereignty is the very foundation of personal independence.

I live in a food prison.. It’s all by design just like prisons are by designed. I just got tired of being an inmate. So I figured, let me change this paradigm, let me grown my own food. This is one thing I can do to escape this predestined life that I have unwillingly subscribed to. – Ron Finley

Think about it. Creating your own food supply challenges the status quo in a number of important ways. Growing your own food:

-Decreases dependence on a polluted corporate food system

-Improves health and wellness by providing exercise and nutritious food, freeing us from dependence on a for-profit medical system

-Undermines Monsanto and the agro-chemical industry that is polluting our world and killing bees

-Highlights issues of political control by pitting homeowners and gardeners against government and ordinance makers

-Builds and heals community by providing a place and activity worth coming together over

-Works to repair the damage we are doing to the environment with our consumer lifestyles

-Protects us against insecurity and food unrest

-Facilitates a greater awakening by setting an example for others to follow

When united, awareness and action create the kind of changes that a rigid control system cannot tolerate, and when extraordinary people like Ron Finley take the lead, a meaningful movement can take hold. This is real action, it is very effective, and as it becomes more mainstream to set up gardens in your yard and on your block, we will witness the re-emergence of the kind of society we just cannot create by playing by the rules of a rigged system.

I had sixty people putting in an urban garden while you all were marching. Now who do you think was more effective? – Ron Finley

Here’s Ron in a recent interview with Marc Angelo of the Superhero Academy:

Just a few generations ago, gardening for sustenance was not the fringe activity that it has become in recent decades, because it was a basic daily act of survival. One that will rise again as a controlled economy and engineered economic collapse will make it imperative to join forces with your community and defend your personal sovereignty.

Why don’t you churches get together instead of with your ‘my religion is better than yours’ bullshit, and get together and put in a healthy food market… isn’t that doing good business? If your people live longer, don’t you get more money? – Ron Finley

What happens when you transform yourself by deepening your connection to nature?What happens when you then transform your community by bringing your neighbors together in the goal of providing something of immense value to all? What happens then when a nation of transformed communities sees their world without the boundaries of and limitations imposed on us by a corrupt system?

The four-year cycle of presidential politics in the US is far more effective at stealing the constructive energy of motivated people than it is at bringing about meaningful change to our lives, communities and to the nation as a whole. Time to try something far more effective and rewarding. Let’s overgrow the system, and transform our health and communities in the process.

For a sign that this movement is spreading across the nation, check out this homegrown music video, ‘Gardening is Gangsta,’ by Mark Jankins and Sifu Paul Davis.

I don’t rely on new food stamps. Cuz’ every season got me harvesting some new plants.

Alex Pietrowski is an artist and writer concerned with preserving good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. He is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and Offgrid Outpost, a provider of storable food and emergency kits. Alex is an avid student of Yoga and life. This article (Gardening More Meaningful than Voting in a Rigged Political System) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Vic Bishop and WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement. Please contact WakingTimes@gmail.com for more info. 

Image: Featured image by Alternative Apparel, on this page from first to last rd.com, mnn.com, gamechangers.com

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NEWS

Main Local news LOCAL NEWSLATEST POLITICS NEWS Buhari reportedly signs executive order to prevent foreigners from getting jobs Nigerians can do 3 months ago 129305 views by  Nurudeen Lawal - President Buhari reportedly signed Executive Order 5 to improve local content in public procurement - The executive order also reportedly prohibits the Ministry of Interior from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily available in Nigeria - The order, however, consideration shall only be given to a foreign professional, where it is certified that such expertise is not available in Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, June 3, in Abuja reportedly signed Executive Order 5 to improve local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components. According to The Nation, the Executive Order is expected to promote the application of science, technology and innovation towards achieving the nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy. The president, pursuant to the authority vested in him by the constitution, ordered that all ‘‘procuring authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007.’’ READ ALSO: Legit Poll: Nigerians consider Gbajabiamila best qualified for speakership race The Executive Order also reportedly prohibits the Ministry of Interior from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily available in Nigeria. It, however, notes that where expertise is lacking, procuring entities will give preference to foreign companies and firms with a demonstrable and verifiable plan for indigenous development, prior to the award of such contracts. In the proclamation entitled ‘Presidential Executive Order 5 For Planning And Execution Of Projects, Promotion Of Nigerian Content In Contracts And Science, Engineering And Technology, President Buhari also reportedly directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design and execution of national security projects. It adds that ‘‘consideration shall only be given to a foreign professional, where it is certified by the appropriate authority that such expertise is not available in Nigeria.’’ PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has said that President Buhari cannot approve state policing just by his decree. Speaking during his guest appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, June 6, Falana said that the issue of state policing is a constitutional issue. The SAN said that for state policing to be created, the bill calling for its creation has to first go to the National Assembly, adding that the bill can originate from either of the national houses. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better EXCLUSIVE: Be patient with President Buhari, Femi Adesina tells Nigerians | Legit TV Source: Legit Newspaper TAGS: Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1242035-buhari-reportedly-signs-executive-order-prevent-foreigners-jobs-nigerians-do.html?fbclid=IwAR25GFJFXXp88OzHZCgRocSs21tSesaDE0QmX8BFeVjLe9z5e3bMIbMn6yE

POLITICS

People go into politics not to serve but to enrich themselves - Emile Short

KOJO EMMANUEL

 Yesterday at 9:30 AM

Tell your friends  

The former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Emile Francis Short has stated that people who venture into politics should use their power to make decisions based on their understanding of the common good.

Justice Francis Emile Short

He said those decisions should serve the office holder's constituency, that is those citizens who voted for him or her adding that decisions should not be made, nor should they appear to be made, based on the financial self-interest of the officeholder. 

Any such decision undermines the status of citizens as sovereign as well as the trust they have in the government, he said.

He condemned the practice of people getting into the political office just to enrich themselves.

In an interview on Accra FM, he stated that "In Africa, too many people go into politics not to serve the people but to benefit themselves, to benefit the party and party supporters."

He opined that the only time legislators from both parties (New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress) in Parliament unite is when it is in their collective interest.

"You hardly have consensus between these two dominant parties” but “the only time you would get consensus is when they introduce a policy that will benefit both Members of Parliament of the political divide," he noted.

Source: Pulse Ghana

VOTE FOR THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS ON MAY 8, 2019 #ASIJIKI. VOTE EFF

Julius Malema, the supreme president of SA

21 August 2018, 10:47

By Tazvi Gamz

Formed five years ago, EFF commands just 6% of the parliamentarian voice but has the loudest and most effective and most decisive voice. Lead by firebrand Julius Malema, EFF has breathed new life into South African political landscape. With the demise of PAC and National party, and with SACP marriage to ANC whilst Inkhata freedom party resigned to be a regional KZN opposition, DA and ANC emerged as the two formidable political houses of South Africa.

The ANC is taking a stance as a black party whilst DA coming in as a party serving interests of the white community. With no real substantive benefits of alignment, the politics of SA becomes a black and white. It became the politics of nothing else but race. This has been the trend with all post colonial governments in Southern Africa. We saw the same history pattern with Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa could not be exceptional but the South African story took a twist in 2012 when ANC made its biggest mistake of all time, firing Malema from the party.

Malema had established himself as a kingmaker of ANC long before he was fired. As the youth leader of ANC, Malema would single handedly take charge to rebuke ANC appointed ministers in public. Malema would single handedly challenge ANC government policies and at one point he publicly clashed with his president and the then mines minister over nationalization of mines.

Julius Malema had proved that every single vote is as important any other millions of votes casted in any election. Malema and EFF have demonstrated the power in the voice of vote. EFF with just 6% of national electoral votes has effectively put that small citizenship approval to maximum use by directing and policing an ANC government enjoying over 70% of citizenship approval whilst Juju is the defector Supreme President of the country.  

Notable, these are the very significant historical individual Juju influence over the years which stands far ahead of any other political individual in this Southern African nation.

1.       In 2008, Malema campaigned for Mbeki to go and for Zuma to be president and the ANC listened to him.

2.       In 2016 local governments, EFF went to bed with DA to dislodge ANC municipal governance by forging an alliance with the usual enemy DA in three of the country’s biggest local governments.

3.       In 2017, Malema led EFF made loud calls for a motion to a motion on vote of no confidence on Zuma, a first for Africa, ANC listened to him.

4.       In 2017 Malema again called for Zuma to go and subsequently ANC listened to him

EFF has been on record calling for the cancellation of ANC government nuclear plant plans and subsequently the deal was cancelled.

5.       EFF campaigned for a landmark motion on land expropriation without compensation. This was not part of ANC  land redistribution policy but again ANC listened to him

South African democracy is free from monarchy communities hence they is no king to call the shots on administrative matters. But this is the truth is, hate him or like him, Malema is calling the shots, Malema has influence surpassing all the past presidents who came after Mandela. He is the Defactor Supreme President Of SA.

The current ANC presidium was indirectly pushing Malema’s comeback for one reason, they understand his power, they understand his authority and they understand his power in government and they are struggling to sustain him. ANC presidium wants to govern with Juju hence these unrealistic calls for him to do the unthinkable. Malema power is like a revolution, no one can stop it, be part of it or you are sidelined. With visibly foreseeable more approval come 2019 national elections, Malema is set to exercise more power to decide the business of the government and he will do that effectively.

VOTE EFF

Julius Malema, the supreme president of SA

21 August 2018, 10:47

Formed five years ago, EFF commands just 6% of the parliamentarian voice but has the loudest and most effective and most decisive voice. Lead by firebrand Julius Malema, EFF has breathed new life into South African political landscape. With the demise of PAC and National party, and with SACP marriage to ANC whilst Inkhata freedom party resigned to be a regional KZN opposition, DA and ANC emerged as the two formidable political houses of South Africa.

The ANC is taking a stance as a black party whilst DA coming in as a party serving interests of the white community. With no real substantive benefits of alignment, the politics of SA becomes a black and white. It became the politics of nothing else but race. This has been the trend with all post colonial governments in Southern Africa. We saw the same history pattern with Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa could not be exceptional but the South African story took a twist in 2012 when ANC made its biggest mistake of all time, firing Malema from the party.

Malema had established himself as a kingmaker of ANC long before he was fired. As the youth leader of ANC, Malema would single handedly take charge to rebuke ANC appointed ministers in public. Malema would single handedly challenge ANC government policies and at one point he publicly clashed with his president and the then mines minister over nationalization of mines.
Julius Malema had proved that every single vote is as important any other millions of votes casted in any election. Malema and EFF have demonstrated the power in the voice of vote. EFF with just 6% of national electoral votes has effectively put that small citizenship approval to maximum use by directing and policing an ANC government enjoying over 70% of citizenship approval whilst Juju is the defector Supreme President of the country.

Notable, these are the very significant historical individual Juju influence over the years which stands far ahead of any other political individual in this Southern African nation.

1.       In 2008, Malema campaigned for Mbeki to go and for Zuma to be president and the ANC listened to him.

2.       In 2016 local governments, EFF went to bed with DA to dislodge ANC municipal governance by forging an alliance with the usual enemy DA in three of the country’s biggest local governments.

3.       In 2017, Malema led EFF made loud calls for a motion to a motion on vote of no confidence on Zuma, a first for Africa, ANC listened to him.

4.       In 2017 Malema again called for Zuma to go and subsequently ANC listened to him
EFF has been on record calling for the cancellation of ANC government nuclear plant plans and subsequently the deal was cancelled.

5.       EFF campaigned for a landmark motion on land expropriation without compensation. This was not part of ANC  land redistribution policy but again ANC listened to him
South African democracy is free from monarchy communities hence they is no king to call the shots on administrative matters. But this is the truth is, hate him or like him, Malema is calling the shots, Malema has influence surpassing all the past presidents who came after Mandela. He is the Defactor Supreme President Of SA.

The current ANC presidium was indirectly pushing Malema’s comeback for one reason, they understand his power, they understand his authority and they understand his power in government and they are struggling to sustain him. ANC presidium wants to govern with Juju hence these unrealistic calls for him to do the unthinkable. Malema power is like a revolution, no one can stop it, be part of it or you are sidelined. With visibly foreseeable more approval come 2019 national elections, Malema is set to exercise more power to decide the business of the government and he will do that effectively.