Mr Gay South Africa Statement

As some of you know, I was crowned Mr Gay South Africa at the Lyric Theater at Gold Reef City on Saturday night. Thank you to the South African LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex ) community for choosing me to represent you as Mr Gay South Africa! I am filled with enthusiasm for the year ahead and hope that with your support I can make a big difference in the lives of LGBTI people in South Africa.

I believe that Mr Gay South Africa should be a role model to South African LGBTI youth. Too many young people resort to suicide and substance abuse because they believe that being homosexual is a social death sentence. The youth need suitable role-models to look up to, who they can be proud of, and who can help them come to terms with their sexual orientation without fear. I will endeavour to be this person - someone the youth can look up to and admire. If the youth can see that I can be a successful self-confident person they can realise that can also be.

South Africa is widely regarded to have the most progressive constitution in the world, with a Bill of Rights second to none. This legislation has helped to bring about tolerance towards the LGBTI community in South Africa. I’d like to see this tolerance turned into acceptance.

Once again, thanks to everyone for all their support! I hope that the next year proves to be very productive!

Lance Weyer, Mr Gay South Africa 2011

Black Tuesday

Some people don’t understand the significance of today... “Black Tuesday”. The Protection of State Information Bill is the major piece of legislation since apartheid that dismantles an aspect of our democracy. For voters to make an informed choice we need to know the truth of what is being done by government in our name. Covering up corruption and avoiding ANC embarrassment is going to come at a huge price to South Africans. The death of investigative journalism and whistle-blowing will result in a state that is only answerable to the state itself, and history has taught us that that is never a good situation.

While the bill must first pass through the National Council of Provinces, the battle is destined to end in the Constitutional Court. A total of 34 ANC MPs did not vote, even though they were ordered to do so. That says something...

Remember this??? "Press freedom will never be under threat in South Africa as long as the ANC is the majority party". Nelson Mandela 19/11/1997

Juju’s expulsion leaves way clear for Zuma and mines

The ANC's national disciplinary committee found Malema guilty of provoking divisions within the ruling party and of bringing the organisation into disrepute. He was suspended for five years and told to vacate his leadership position.

Julius Malema was kept around as long as he was useful, and now that he’s become a hindrance to Jacob Zuma he has felt the heat. The fact that this is the same ANC failed to sanction Malema for insulting former President Thabo Mbeki in 2008 is an indication of the politics involved here.

President Jacob Zuma may be closer to a second term in office after the ruling. Malema was the biggest obstacle to Zuma winning the party endorsement in December next year to lead the ANC, and by implication the country, for another five years.

The manner of Malema’s expulsion are immaterial to me, as long as he has finally been hindered from spreading his racist, chauvinistic, economically damaging, and ill-thought rhetoric. The nationalisation debate of South African mines that rattled investors will likely be sent into the political wilderness along with its leading advocate, Malema.

ANC priorities

This is going to be a very short post...

The Department of Defence wants to spend R1,6 billion on new private jets for the president and deputy president. SA can’t afford this sort of extravagance, period. That money would be better used to house some 30 000 families! But that’s just not how our ruling party thinks... it’s always politicians first, citizens last.

“let us remember that, in a democracy, people get the government the majority voted for.” - Helen Zille