Freedom of Speeeeeech and FNB

[vieome]

An advert by FNB is causing quite a stir with the ruling party branding the advert treasonous

FNB treasonous Advert . What I find so strange about the govt, is that South Africa faces numerous problems at present riots in Sasolburg and when such happen they govt never come out and speak on such matters, but let someone excercise their right to freedom of speech and say something against govt and they come out guns blazing. No to Portraits, No to adverts. But quite on the strikes, and riots, quite on the increase of electricity etc. The goverment is selected by the people to represent the people. People must not be afraid of goverment, but goverment should be afraid of their people.

[Blurock]

What I find so strange about the govt, is that South Africa faces numerous problems at present riots in Sasolburg and when such happen they govt never come out and speak on such matters, but let someone excercise their right to freedom of speech and say something against govt and they come out guns blazing. .

The ANC is the Government. The Government will not tolerate any criticism. You are not allowed to criticise. You are not allowed to strive for a better South Africa for all its people. You are not allowed to report or make any comments on state corruption.

The country is burning while government upgrade their security, build and refurbish their homes, have lavish lunches and breakfasts, fly around the globe, have expensive conferences and actually do nothing. Schools are under funded and books are not being delivered. Roads are crumbling. Municipalities are not delivering. Young people are desperate because they see no future for themselves.

In the words of RW Jonson; Government is now a federation of corrupt warlords, all exacting money from their subjects like so many medieval barons. But please do not report this as it may sound unpatriotic.

[adrianh]

Freedom of speech is a myth in all societies, not just ours.

I think that it is sad that the cANCer is offended by the truth coming from the mouths of their own youth. How can one be offended by an honest view expressed by a child? Why don't the stupid, corrupt bunch of incompetent clowns realize that they need to lead people by the hand, not by sitting in a R230million mansion in the middle of the bush.

[Blurock]

Uit die mond van die suigeling...

The truth is revealed through the lips of children.

[IanF]

Elections next year ANC starting early with a clean up the media image to woo the voters.
Lucky I am not cynical.

[vieome]

I guess the real irony of the whole situation, is that even when people are made aware of government corruption, many still vote to keep the same corrupt government, it seems that demo-crazy really means, election of government by a majority of fools vote. And such fools are willing to die for elected leaders to keep corrupt gains in mansions and upgrades. Fighting for the right for the dear leader to eat, while dying of starvation.

[Dave A]

Hard to know where to start with this one

My first thought is as usual the ANC confuses party with country. The kids are not being critical of the country (unpatriotic), they are critical of its governance (government - or as the ANC sees it, the ANC).

Surely this is one of the duties of every citizen - to be critical of what is done wrong in the hope to form a better country?

My second thought was around the ANC being critical of a company "playing politics". It's the ANC that has dragged business into politics with BBBEE, employment equity and "corporate social responsibility", whether business likes it or not.

Now the ANC claims businesses should not try to proactively influence these arenas?
Well businesses can't vote.
They're not allowed to pick and choose how much tax they pay over to government to reflect their level of approval of government and their policies.
So what are they supposed to do?

This, of course, assumes that FNB is actually trying to influence the political arena. There's every possibility their primary interest is to tap into some social media exposure for commercial gain.

Ultimately it is my third thought that disturbs me the most. Instead of the ANC asking "why do these kids feel this way about what we are doing and what should we be doing differently?", the ANC assumes they're doing fine and it's the kids that are wrong - and their naiveté being exploited...

Who are the exploiters really?

[IanF]

Nandos has now got into the act. Lets see if this is the first of many.

And wait for Zapiro he never has to look far to a subject for his cartoons.

[Blurock]

Zuma did say that businesses that support the ANC will flourish. Does this mean that business that do not support the ANC and are critical of government will not flourish? In other words, they will not be awarded government contracts and their staff and investors will have to bear the consequences.

I can only say in true ANC spirit; Viva FNB, Viva!

[wynn]

My thoughts are a little further out the box and a little more to the future using the past to guide my thinking.

Remember when Chris Ball and the FNB started to support the ANC in exile, PW and the NATS threw a hissy fit?

Obviously the FNB has a 'Strategy Department' which sees a few years into the future and allows them to best position themselves to take advantage.

Now if they are starting to criticize the ANC I would start wondering if their 'Crystal Ball' is telling them something we should be aware of?

[Justloadit]

It may be that the ANC upper echelon may be concerned with their behaviour, and may not wish the general voting public to not be aware of the shenanigans going on in the corridors of government.
It is interesting that Cyril was elected as the deputy, could it be a strategy that they are implementing to lessen the blow at the next election, by creating smoke and mirrors?

[desA]

The ANC has run its course.

The comment comparing the FNB of Chris Ball to the present, is very interesting indeed. The time has come to create an informed groundswell amongst the voting public, to press for sound governance. In this regard, the ANC is just another tired, old, bunch of ex freedom-fighters, now fat-cats. They have no solutions to the mess they have created. They cannot deliver on their original promises to the masses, leading to a season of discontent.

Time to press for meaningful change in SA. This is not treasonous, but rather, fiercely patriotic.

[Blurock]

Marikana, De Doorns, Sasolburg.... Where will it end?

In these and many other cases, the masses have indicated their displeasure with their situation. They have voted for a political party that promised them Ethopia and bought their votes with a t-shirt and a coke. Now that the smoke has cleared and the mirror is broken, they realise that that was all that they would get.

This is only the beginning, while our so called leaders are touring foreign countries and lining their pockets to build even bigger (dis)Gracelands, compounds and palaces. ... and planning the next state sponsored breakfast while there are people who do not even have food on the table.

[Dave A]

They have voted for a political party that promised them Ethopia and bought their votes with a t-shirt and a coke.

Is that somewhere between Utopia and Ethiopia?
(In which case they've probably delivered )

[AndyD]

Is that somewhere between Utopia and Ethiopia?
(In which case they've probably delivered )

Lol, maybe nearer the Ethiopia end of said scale unless you qualified for a seat on their gravy train.