What's Happening in South Africa

"This language of 'service delivery protests' has been used for some years now by elites in South Africa, across the political spectrum, to be able to pretend that there is no politics of the poor.."

Submitted by Maysie on July 27, 2009 - 8:01am.

Hi NoDifferencePartyPooper.

I edited the title to read "South Africa" rather than "Africa".

Submitted by NDPP on July 27, 2009 - 8:15am.

I thought "Africa" might serve to catch other African stories as well and keep things together rather than separate dangling threads - but as you wish Maysie

Submitted by Maysie on July 27, 2009 - 8:22am.

It's just that Africa is a very large continent. Too many times the West will conflate "Africa" into bite-sized pieces of knowledge.

Do we start threads called "What's happening in Europe"?

Okay, enough drift.

Submitted by NDPP on July 27, 2009 - 9:06am.

you're right - but for purposes of organization maybe not - a thread called "what's happening in europe" would be just fine for organizational purposes here on Babble's ill designed format. Ok I'm done drifting too. cheers

Submitted by NDPP on July 27, 2009 - 9:53am.

Can Zuma Walk his Talk?

http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2009/07/2009726123013391730.html

"The people want their lives to improve and want the government to look after their needs before those of big business.."

Submitted by epaulo13 on June 2, 2011 - 8:29am.

Beyond the Privatisation of Liberation

June 02, 2011

By Horace Campbell
Source: Pambazuka News

Horace Campbell's ZSpace Page

South Africa is a society where the actions of political leaders in the state machinery are threatening to reverse the popular struggles for liberation. Seventeen years ago, the formal shackles of apartheid were rattled. But the structural basis of apartheid was never dismantled. When Nelson Mandela became the head of state in 1994 there had been euphoria all over Africa, indeed all over the world, that a new road toward a non-racial democracy was being taken. The majority of the people wanted a better life: an end to racism, access to health, life, peace and a decent environment. However, very soon after the integration of the ANC (African National Congress) into the structures of apartheid, the political leadership of the African National Congress turned their backs on the ideas of transforming the society and embraced the ideas of liberalisation and the privatisation of the economy. The ANC embraced unbridled capitalism. Using the cover of reconciliation, the former powerful transnationals supported a class of blacks to enter banking, insurance and retailing as long as they accepted the standards of racist hierarchy and sent their children into the schools that taught Eurocentrism.....

http://www.zcommunications.org/beyond-the-privatisation-of-liberation-by-horace-campbell [8]

Submitted by epaulo13 on July 18, 2011 - 12:24pm.

..from democracy now. you will thank yourself for watching this!!!!

As Nelson Mandela Turns 93, A Discussion With Anti-Apartheid Freedom Fighter Ronnie Kasrils

As South Africa celebrates the 93rd birthday of anti-apartheid leader and former South African president, Nelson Mandela, we speak to one of Mandela’s allies, Ronnie Kasrils, who was on the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress for 20 years. Kasrils also served as Minister for Intelligence Services in post-Apartheid South Africa from 2004 to 2008. He has just published a new book “The Unlikely Secret Agent,” about his late wife Eleanor, a Scottish South African anti-apartheid activist.

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/7/18/as_nelson_mandela_turns_93_a

Submitted by laine lowe on July 18, 2011 - 2:21pm.

Thanks for that link epaulo. What an amazing woman and incredible escape. I definitely want to read his book.

Submitted by epaulo13 on July 18, 2011 - 2:35pm.

..my pleasure laine. i was impressed by her humaness. going from positive struggle to dispare to escape.

Submitted by ikosmos on July 18, 2011 - 2:48pm.

Nelson Mandela International Day - July 18, 2011

Quote:

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
[without reference to a Main Committee (A/64/L.13 and Add.1)]
64/13. Nelson Mandela International Day
The General Assembly,
Recognizing the long history of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's leading role in
and support for Africa's struggle for liberation and Africa's unity, and his
outstanding contribution to the creation of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic
South Africa,
Recognizing also Nelson Mandela's values and his dedication to the service of
humanity, as a humanitarian, in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations,
promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the
rights of children and other vulnerable groups, as well as the upliftment of poor and
underdeveloped communities,
Acknowledging Nelson Mandela's contribution to the struggle for democracy
internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world,
Welcoming the international campaign initiated by the Nelson Mandela
Foundation and related organizations to each year observe 18 July, his birthday, as
Mandela Day,
Welcoming also the statements of support by the Secretary-General and the
President of the General Assembly at its sixty-third session, on the occasion of the
celebration of Mandela Day on 18 July 2009,
Recalling the worldwide participation and celebration of the inaugural
Mandela Day on 18 July 2009,
Recalling also the endorsement by the Heads of State and Government of the
Movement of Non-Aligned Countries of the observance of 18 July as Nelson
Mandela International Day and the request that a resolution to this effect be adopted
by the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session,1
1. Decides to designate 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day, to be
observed each year beginning in 2010;
_______________
1 A/63/968-S/2009/516.
A/RES/64/13
2
2. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system
and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including
non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe Nelson Mandela
International Day in an appropriate manner;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures, within
existing resources, for the observance by the United Nations of Nelson Mandela
International Day;
4. Also requests the Secretary-General to keep the General Assembly
informed at its sixty-fifth session of the implementation of the present resolution
within the United Nations system, and thereafter to keep the Assembly informed on
an annual basis concerning the observance of Nelson Mandela International Day;
5. Further requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to
the attention of all Member States and United Nations organizations.
42nd plenary meeting
10 November 2009

What's Happening in South Africa

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