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

Hypocrite Malema jets off to R10m party with the rich after march against poverty

Just two hours after leading thousands of desperately poor people on a march for "economic freedom" on Friday, Julius Malema jetted out of Johannesburg for an all-expenses-paid weekend of booze, parties and luxury at a R10-million wedding in Mauritius.

Malema couldn't get away from the masses fast enough. He was whisked away in a blue-light convoy to catch a business class flight to party it up at the five-star resort.

The wedding was that of his friend, Limpopo-based property developer David Mabilu, who booked out the entire Long Beach resort for 300 guests.

Yesterday Mabilu, 42, married his fiancée, Phala Mokgophi, 38, at a glamorous beach ceremony in front of about 300 guests. The couple had splashed out more than R10-million on the three-day ceremony, including flights and accommodation for their guests.

On Friday, once Malema was seated on board the Air Mauritius aircraft, the pilot announced: "Please welcome Mr Julius Malema, president of the ANC Youth League, on board." When the flight landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Malema was picked up from the aircraft in a private vehicle and shuttled to the terminal. He later checked into the exclusive five-star Long Beach resort, where rates start at R4648 a night for a beach-facing room and go up to R14 784 for a suite.
At the couple's pre-wedding party at the resort, Malema, who had changed into a pale pink and white long-sleeved shirt and beige trousers, joined the celebrations at 1am.

Earlier on Friday, addressing his followers before sunrise in Pretoria, Malema said: "When they ask you why you are marching, you must say you are marching because you want to live like whites. Everything that whites have, we want it also." Outside the Union Buildings, placards carried by the crowd read: "Ninety percent of the economy is still in the hands of the minority" and "Down with white capital monopoly". (From TimesLive)

Only one word comes to mind... Hypocrite! 

DA responds to Zuma's action against Mahlangu-Nkabinde, Shiceka and Cele

The Democratic Alliance welcomes the firm action taken by President Jacob Zuma today in firing Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Sicelo Shiceka, and suspending Bheki Cele.

This announcement is better late than never.

President Zuma’s government has been beset by controversy for several months. The Public Protector urged the President to take strong action against those involved in the SAPS lease deals as well as Minister Shiceka for his abuse of public money. We applaud the President for reaffirming his government’s commitment to the role of the Public Protector and other Chapter Nine institutions.

Accountability is critical to making democracy work. If Ministers abuse their power, they must be fired.

The Public Protector has already conducted a comprehensive inquiry into Commissioner Bheki Cele’s actions in the police lease deal scandal. We understand that legislation requires the President to establish a Board of Inquiry into the Commissioner’s actions, before any final decision can be taken to fire him. We trust this step will follow swiftly should the Board corroborate the findings of the Public Protector.

We also note the list of eminent judges who the President has named to head the Judicial Inquiry into the Arms Deal. We look forward to seeing the Terms of Reference at the earliest possible opportunity.

Helen Zille, Leader of the Democratic Alliance
24 October 2011

Outrageous R170million upgrade to Zuma's house

Revamping the interior of President Jacob Zuma’s official residence in Pretoria, Mahlamba Ndlopfu, is expected to cost nearly R170 million, Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde has said.

She also revealed that the president would be getting a sauna and steam room. 

The total cost of the refurbishment, building and other work that has been carried out or is planned for Zuma’s offices and official homes in Cape Town and Pretoria, as well as projects on the Bryntirion ministerial estate, which includes Mahlamba Ndlopfu, is more than R400m. None of the furniture is to be replaced. 

Details of the spending emerged yesterday in written replies to parliamentary questions asked in March and April by DA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip. Trollip is now writing to the minister for a full explanation of why the spending “was deemed an appropriate use of state funds”. “I will also be submitting an oral question to the president, so that he can account to Parliament and the South African people for this vast expenditure.” 

All this from a president who claims to be close to the people... he certainly doesn't think that he should live like them!