Gallery of rogues?

[Dave A]

Oh this is sweet!

The African National Congress (ANC) has not lost "moral authority" in South Africa, the party's general secretary, Gwede Mantashe, said on Wednesday.

"The moral authority of the ANC as an organisation is one which will be tested by elections.

"After April 22, society in South Africa will reaffirm the ANC as having moral authority in South Africa," he said at a joint press briefing with the Dutch Reformed Church in Johannesburg.
full story from M&G here

[garthu]

Must be really nice to have "business" that you can stuff up continually and people just keep coming back for more..

[garthu]

Heard a couple of great black comedians of 5fm the other day:

When Mandela became president, some of the whites said "doll, thats it, packing my bags and getting outa here" Some did, some didn't and some came back.

When Mbeki became president some of whites said ""doll, thats it, packing my bags and getting outa here" SOme did, some didn't and some came back.

When Motlanthe became president, the whites had become tired of "leaving" so they did nothing.

When JZ becomes pres, the blacks are saying "eish, how much is the visa for uk, i'm outta here"

[Dave A]

I wonder if the ANC even understands what the moral high ground is any more. Corruption and entitlement has become so embedded into their psyche, they seem to think it is normal and somehow acceptable.

[Dave A]

Part one was predictable.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille has called on her African National Congress (ANC) counterpart Jacob Zuma to step down as his party's presidential candidate in the coming elections.

"Put your ambitions aside and act in the interests of the country and the Constitution by publicly stepping down," she said in an open letter to Zuma on Thursday.

Her call was rejected by the ANC later in the day.
full story from M&G here

Part two is interesting.

Zille said that should Zuma be elected president without first having been exonerated -- by a court -- of the charges against him, the Constitution would be seriously undermined.

"In fact, I have been reliably informed by senior members of the Bar that your election could be challenged in the Constitutional Court.

"That is because your presidency would create a conflict of interest between your constitutional role as head of state and your status as an accused in a matter that has been brought against you by the state itself."

[Superscenic]

Words may have a different meaning.

I wonder if the ANC even understands what the moral high ground is any more. Corruption and entitlement has become so embedded into their psyche, they seem to think it is normal and somehow acceptable.

I once played a computer game called Deus Ex. The "terrorists" fought for the very meaning of words. I thought this was an accurate prediction of today's media where words like terrorism, freedom, democracy and in SA, racism have very different meanings to the politicians that use them in the media than a dictionary.

As we know "democracy" means agreeing with the current regime. "Freedom" means invading other countries. "Racism" means as long as its black. Oh and "Traitor" somebody who speaks out against self-elected dictators and criminals.

Add some language issues and you're left with "Minister of health" directly translated back from Xhosa to "chief of witchcraft and sorcery".

I don't even know if I can actually speak English any more. Time to go back to school.

[Marq]

I wonder if the ANC even understands what the moral high ground is any more.

Dave - Are you assuming there was an understanding to begin with?

As we know "democracy" means agreeing with the current regime.

Now interesting subject this source and root of words thing.

All tell us that the word 'democracy' come from the Greek, meaning Demo = people and cracy from Kratos = power - 'people power'.

But I have a question - where does the word 'demon' come from....surly it's related - but there are lots of these demo's telling us that 'demon' comes from the Greek root meaning to 'divide' or 'wound' or from 'demos' meaning force. OK - so now if this is true, we can understand words like 'demolition', 'demonstrate' or even pandemonium' .

That makes sense - then why does the democracy word not fit in. Well it does if we apply it to governments that practice it.

Divide and rule - seems to about sum it up for me. Alongside the pandemonium that is being caused and the explosive scenarios that demonstrate this method of governance.

[Graeme]

I have just seen on TV that Shaik, Zuma's financial advisor who was jailed for 15 years for financial skulduggery, has been paroled. The point was made that the parole board's decision may not be contested - their word is final. Well, isn't that nice - after a long trial, and a high court judge has sentenced him, and his appeal has failed, some piddling government agency releases him. Just like that! Who decides the make-up of the parole board? Who makes the appointments to the board? Are the board members judges? We are entitled to know these things.

[Dave A]

I understand the grounds are that he is terminally ill. Time will tell, I guess.

[garthu]

From what i got on that, Balfour came up with that conclusion, the way he said it (could be wrong). Guess he's a Doctor now. I love my country, be whatever you decide

[garthu]

At last... wonder what took so long? Doubt it was for his ability as a "people person" and attract more voters. In the article, they even say he has cost votes

The knives are out for firebrand African National Congress Youth League President Julius Malema, with members of the organisation's highest decision-making body and provincial structures planning to oust him after next Wednesday's election.

[Dave A]

The funny part is I don't see Julius Malema as a rogue. In fact he is a pretty straight shooter.

Maybe that's the problem.

[wynn]

If they do oust Malema, can we ask the press to still quote him, we need the humour.