Presidency Pays Tribute to Walter Sisulu

Today struggle stalwart, Walter Sisulu would have turned a 100 had he still been alive. The Presidency today issued a statement extending President Jacob Zuma's well wishes to the Sisulu family on this now sad, but auspicious occasion. "Sisulu was a symbol of humility, sacrifice, patriotism, measured thoughts and sound understanding. As his friend, comrade and compatriot, Tata Madiba said, Xhamela 'knew and taught us that wisdom comes form sharing insights and listening to and learning from each other", says Presidential spokesman, Mac Maharaj. Maharaj adds that it was the strength of his personality, humility and deep sense of purpose about life and the struggle which kept the spirits alive during the long periods of incarceration on Robben Island. Sisulu was born in the eNgcobo area of Transkei on 18 May 1912. Sisulu's father was a visiting white foreman supervising a black road-gang and his mother was a local Xhosa woman. Sisulu was raised by his mother and uncle, the local headman. Sisulu was an active Trade Unionist – he was fired from his bakery job in 1940 for organising a strike for higher wages. He spent the next two years trying to develop his own real estate agency. During 1940 Sisulu also joined the African National Congress, ANC, in which he allied with those pressing for black African nationalism and actively opposed black involvement in World War II. He gained a reputation as a street vigilante, patrolling his township's streets with a knife. He also obtained his first jail sentence – for punching a train conductor when he confiscated a black man's rail pass. Following the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960 Sisulu, Mandela and several others formed Umkonto we Sizwe – the military wing of the ANC. During 1962 and 1963 Sisulu was arrested six times, although only the last led to a conviction. Released on bail in April 1963 Sisulu went underground, joining up with the MK. On 26 June he made a public broadcast from a secret ANC radio station describing his intentions.

On 11 July 1963 Sisulu was amongst those arrested at Lilieslief Farm, the secret headquarters of the ANC, and placed in solitary confinement for 88 days. A lengthy trail which started in October 1963 lead to a sentence of life imprisonment (for planning acts of sabotage), handed down on 12 June 1964. Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, and four others were sent to Robben Island. In 1982 Sisulu was transferred Pollsmoor Prison, Cape Town, after a medical examination at Groote Schuur Hospital. In October 1989 he was finally released – after serving 25 years.

Sisulu finally retired on the eve of South Africa's first multi-racial elections in 1994 – still living in the same Soweto house that his family had taken in the 1940s. On 5 May 2003, following a long period of ill health and only 13 days before his 91st birthday,Sisulu died "As we celebrate the achievement of democracy, freedom and equality that Sisulu and his compatriots bequeathed on this nation, we must do so with a deep sense of gratitude and humility. It should always remind us of our abiding responsibility to guard our hard earned democracy jealousy, and advance this country to higher levels of development, growth and prosperity by fighting hunger, poverty, inequality, disease and unemployment as a significant step to our economic freedom", says Maharaj Additional information: http://africanhistory.about.com/library/biographies/blbio-WalterSisulu.htm

Department of Education To Provide Textbooks in Limpopo

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled that the Department of Basic Education and the Provincial Education Department in Limpopo is to provide textbooks to learners by the 15 June 2012 and that they need to implement a 'catch up' plan for learners. Voice of the Cape Current Affairs Producer and Breakfast Show host chatted to Nikki Stein and attorney at SECTION27 about the court case. This interview was first aired on Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Show hosted by Shafiq Morton earlier today...

Gang Violence Rife in Hanover Park

Gang violence has not only resurfaced in Manenberg but also in Hanover Park. Last weekend three people were shot and fatally wounded in one day and three people were left wounded during a gunfight between rival gangs over the weekend. I spoke to Weldon Cameron, the spokesperson for the CPF in Hanover Park about shooting incidents. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme today...

Gang Violence Flares up in Manenberg

Manenberg has become a red zone after three children were shot and wounded in gang crossfire this week. This has prompted outraged residents to take to the streets of Manenberg. A three year old boy was shot in his right hand as gunmen fired down Thames Avenue. Meanwhile two 12 year old year old girls were shot in their calves while playing outside their homes in Lansman Walk. I spoke to Kader Jacobs, the spokesperson for the Manenberg CPF about the recent spate of gang related shootings in the area this morning. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat show...

Judgement in SECTION27 Court Case expected on Thursday

The North Gauteng High Court is expected to hand down judgement in the urgent application against the Department of Basic Education and the Provincial Department of Education in Limpopo on Thursday. SECTION27 launched the urgent application earlier this month against the department for their failure to provide textbooks to learners in Limpopo. Voice of the Cape Current Affairs Producer, Dorianne Arendse spoke to SECTION27 Attorney Nikki Stein for an update on the court case, the Department of Basic Education was contacted for comment on the case, but said they will only comment after judgement is handed down. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Show today hosted by Shafiq Morton...

City Launches New Social Housing Unit

The City of Cape Town today launched their new Social Housing Unit in Kewtown. I spoke to Alderman JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security about the new unit this morning. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme...

Chronic medication still a problem at some community healthcare centres

The Western Cape Department of Health says the problems with the roll out of chronic medication was this week addressed by senior area managers visiting the facilities, getting involved on the ground and directing patients into streams for better. I spoke to Faiza Steyn, the spokesperson for the Department of Health about the roll out of chronic medication yesterday morning on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme...

Anti Gang Strategy Needs Rethink

Over the Weekend three people were shot in one day in Hanover Park, prompting the MEC for Community Safety Dan Plato to rethink the Anti Gang strategy he wants implemented. I spoke to the MEC for Community Safety on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat Show yesterday morning, this is what he had to say....

SECTION27 Court Case postponed

Despite the Department of Basic Education and the Limpopo Department of Education indicating last week that they will oppose an urgent application launched by SECTION27 earlier this month, they are as yet to file their answering affidavit. The urgent application was to be heard in the North Gauteng High Court today. The attorney for SECTION27, Nikki Stein says that for the five months of this school year, the department has failed to deliver textbooks to learners in the Department. "SECTION27 launched an urgent application against the Minister of Basic Education and the Limpopo Department of Education in relation to their failure for five months this school year to procure and deliver textbooks for learners throughout Limpopo", says Stein. She adds that they have repeatedly engaged with the provincial government and the national government on the issue and most recently with the Head of the Intervention Team. "These parties have promised to order textboooks, but they have not honoured these promises. The academic year is almost halfway gone—yet learners in Grades R, 1, 2, 3 and 10 still do not have any textbooks. Textbooks for these learners have not been ordered and there is still no indication as to when final orders for textbooks will be made", says Stein. She says they will be asking the court to ensure that learners are provided with textbooks throughout Limpopo and to ensure that a catch up plan is put in place to provide additional classes to learners until their lost curriculum is recovered.According to Stein the application was set down for hearing today but was postponed to allow the respondents an opportunity to file answering affidavits. The matter will now be heard tomorrow at the North Gauteng High Court.

My Beloved Lamar, forgive me…by Thaer Halahleh to his two year old daughter, on the 75th day of his hunger strike

My Beloved Lamar, forgive me because the occupation took me away from you, and took away from me the pleasure of witnessing my firstborn child that I have always prayed to God to see, to kiss, to be happy with. It is not your fault; this is our destiny as Palestinian people to have our lives and the lives of our children taken away from us, to be apart from each other and to have a miserable life. Nothing is complete in our lives because of this unjust occupation that is lurking on every corner of our lives turning it into eeriness, a continuous pursuit and torture. Despite the fact that I was deprived from holding you and hearing your voice, from watching you grow up and move around in the house and in your bed, and that I was deprived of my role as a human and a father with my daughter, your existence has given me all the power and hope, and when I saw your picture with your mother in the sit-in tent, you were so calm staring in wonder at people, as if you were looking for your father, looking at my pictures that are hung inside the tent asking in silence why is my father not coming back. I felt that you are with me, in my sentiment and inside my mind, as if you are a part of my heartbeats, steadfast and the blood that flows in my veins, opening all doors for me spreading clear skies around me, and unleashing your free childish voice after this long silence. Lamar my love: I know that you are not to be blamed and that you don’t yet understand why your father is going through this battle of hunger strike for the 75th day, but when you grow up you will understand that the battle of freedom is the battle of going back to you, so that I can never be taken away from you again or to be deprived of your smile or seeing you, so that the occupier will never kidnap me again from you. When you grow up you will understand how injustice was brought upon your father and upon thousands of Palestinians whom the occupation has put in prisons and jail cells, shattering their lives and future for no reason other then their pursuit of freedom, dignity and independence. You will know that your father did not tolerate injustice and submission, and that he would never accept insult and compromise, and that he is going through a hunger strike to protest against the Jewish state that wants to turn us into humiliated slaves without any rights or patriotic dignity. My beloved Lamar keep your head up always and be proud of your father, and thank everyone who supported me, who supported the prisoners in their struggle, and don’t be afraid for God is with us always, and God never lets down people who have faith and patience. We are righteous, and right will always prevail against injustice and wrong doers. Lamar my love: that day will come, and I will make it up to you for everything, and tell you the whole story, and your days that will follow will be more beautiful, so let your days pass now and wear your prettiest clothes, run and then run again in the gardens of your long life, go forward and forward for nothing is behind you but the past, and this is your voice I hear all the time as a melody of freedom. http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/linah-alsaafin/thaer-halahlehs-letter-his-daughter-my-beloved-lamarforgive-me Tune in to Voice of the Cape's Drivetime show today with Shafiq Morton on 95.8, 90.7 and 90.9FM when we speak to the BDS Campaign about the hunger strike at 16h40 today.

R321 Million to Upgrade Transport Hubs in City

The City of Cape Town will be upgrading and expanding its public transport interchanges over the next five years, to accommodate the growth in demand for access and mobility across the city. There will be a specific focus on 25 interchanges with the improvements set to cost R321 million. This morning I spoke to the Mayco member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Councillor Brett Herron. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme...

Maitland Refugee Reception Office faces closure

Last week the Department of Home Affairs announced that the Maitland Refugee Reception Office received a 30 day notice that their lease will expire on 31 May 2012. Refugee rights group Passop says that in May 2012 a decision of the South African High Court ruled in favor of the eviction of the Maitland Reception Offce as a consequence of the claims raised from neighbouring business that the office constitutes a public nuisance. Passop's Braam Hanekom says they are shocked that in two years the Department of Home Affairs has not been able to provide a solution to the eviction order by either instituting the necessary legal proceedings for appeal or identifying an alternative site able to suit the requirements ordered by the court. This morning I spoke to Passop's Braam Hanekom. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme...

The Battle of Hangberg Part 2

Part 2 of a five part series on Hangberg. This feature was produced by Voice of the Cape Reporters, Dorianne Arendse and Faatimah Hendricks

The Battle of Hangberg Part 1

This is part 1 of a five part series on the Battle of Hangberg. This series won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year in the Western Cape under the Community Media Category as well as the National Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award in 2011. In 2010 the City of Cape Town went into the fishing community of Hanbgerg to destroy what they said was illegal unoccupied structures. This led to fierce clashes between the locals and the Metro Police for two days. Voice of the Cape reporters, Dorianne Arendse and Faatimah Hendricks went back to the community to look at some of the socio-economic issues plaguing the community...

Special Report on Xenophobia

After the 2010 Soccer World Cup foreigners living in the townships in Cape Town feared that there would be an increase in attacks on foreign nationals living in South Africa. Cape Town journalist and current affairs producer, Dorianne Arendse spoke to various foreigners living in South Africa about their fears as well as government officials about the worrying trend of attacks on refugees.The feature was first aired on Voice of the Cape. This feature won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award in the Radio Feature Category in the Western Cape in 2011...

Trafficking of human body parts rife on the Mozambique-South African border

The following is a feature produced by Dorianne Arendse and Shafiq Morton and looked at a report that was released on the trafficking of body parts in Africa. Arendse and Morton won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year award in the Community Media Category for this feature in 2010....

Section 27 takes Minister of Basic Education to Court

On Friday Section 27 launched an urgent court application the Minister of Basic Education and the Limpopo Department of Education in relation to their complete failure to procure and deliver textbooks for learners throughout Limpopo. Earlier today I spoke to Nikki Stein an attorney at Section 27. This interviewed was first flighted on Voice of the Cape's Drivetime programme today...

Interview with Prof Jonathan Jansen

This week I had the opportunity to interview the Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of Free State, Prof Jonathan Jansen. This interview was first broadcast on The Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Show....

Reaction to President Jacob Zuma's fourth SONA

Last week President Jacob Zuma delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address, to a joint sitting of Parliament. This is what some politicians had to say after the speech. This audio was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Show on Friday 10 February 2012...

Soundbytes from Somalia Part 4

Last year, Voice of the Cape Drivetime Presenter, Shafiq Morton travelled to the Horn of Africa with humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers. During his stay in Somalia he had the opportunity to speak to various volunteers who were part of the aid mission. This is part 4 of a series of features on Somalia, produced by Dorianne Arendse and Shafiq Morton... Soundbytes from Somalia part 4 by Darendse

Soundbytes from Somalia Part 3

Late last year, Voice of the Cape Drivetime Presenter, Shafiq Morton travelled with humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers to the Horn of Africa. This is part 3 of a series of features on Somalia, produced by Dorianne Arendse and Shafiq Morton. SOMALIA SOUNDBYTES PART 3 by Darendse

Soundbytes from Somalia Part 2

Late last year, Voice of the Cape Drivetime Presenter, Shafiq Morton travelled with humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers to the Horn of Africa. This is part 2 of a series of features on Somalia, produced by Dorianne Arendse and Shafiq Morton. SOMALIA SOUNDBYTES PART 2 by Darendse

Soundbytes from Somalia Part 1

Late last year, Voice of the Cape Drivetime Presenter, Shafiq Morton travelled with humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers to the Horn of Africa. This is part 1 of a series of features on Somalia, produced by Dorianne Arendse and Shafiq Morton. SOMALIA SOUNDBYTES PART 1 by Darendse

MK Celebrates 50 year anniversary

Last week I had the opportunity to interview former Rivonia trialist, Denis Goldberg about the role he played in Umkhonto weSizwe. This interview was first flighted on the Voice of the Cape Drivetime Show host by Shafiq Morton on 16 December 2011. DENIS GOLDBERG PART 1 by Darendse DENIS GOLDBERG PART 2 by Darendse

Flame of Democracy lit at Constitution Hill

Last Sunday Deputy President, Kgalema Mothlante lit the Flame of Democracy at Constitution Hill to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the signing of South Africa’s Constitution. The torch used by Deptuty President Mothlante to light the flame came from a candle lit by former President, Nelson Mandela at his home in Quna. VOC Current Affairs Producer, Dorianne Arendse spoke to Lauren Segal one of the members of the Constitutional Hill Trust about the exhibition that is currently taking place at the Constitutional Court… CONCOURT ANNIVERSARY by Darendse This interview was first aired on Voice of the Cape's Drivetime show on 14 December 2011

President Jacob Zuma honours political prisoners

Last week President Jacob Zuma honoured 134 political prisoners who were executed at the gallows at Pretoria Central Prison during Apartheid. Voice of the Cape Current Affairs Producer, Dorianne Arendse spoke to Mac Maharaj, the spokesperson for President Jacob Zuma about the event which took place on 15 December 2011... Pretoria Central Prison by Darendse This interview was first aired on the Voice of the Cape Drivetime Show on 14 December 2011

FAMSA marches in support of the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children

On Saturday 26 November 2011, Families South Africa held their annual Mini Men's March. Hundreds of children from various schools across the province gathered at Keizergracht on Saturday morning and marched to Parliament in support of the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children. The following audio was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape on Tuesday 29 November 2011. This feature was produced by Dorianne Arendse...

16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children by Darendse

Commission of Inquiry launched into Arms Deal

President Jacob Zuma this week announced that a commission of inquiry will be launched into the Arms Deal. Two years ago according to the Presidency legal proceedings were instituted in the Western Cape High Court asking the Court to direct the President to appoint an indepedent judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing or to require him to reconsider his refusal to do so. It later transpired that the Western Cape High Court was the wrong forum to hear the matter. An application was then brought in the Constitutional Court. The matter is set down for hearing on 17 November 2011. Below is an interview I conducted with the spokesperson for President Jacob Zuma, Mac Maharaj about the commission of inquiry into the Arms Deal. This interview was first broadcast on the Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Show on 16 September 2011...

MAC MAHARAJ by Dorianne

Somalia Day 10- Final update with Shafiq Morton

This is the last interview conducted with VOC Drivetime Presenter Shafiq Morton who was traveling with the Gift of the Givers Aid Mission to Somalia. Morton returns to South Africa today. This interview was first broadcast on the Voice of the Cape on 16 September 2011...

DT 16-09-11 SHAFIQ MORTON UPDATE 10 by Dorianne

Somalia Day 9 - Update with Shafiq Morton

The following interview was first broadcast on the Voice of the Cape Drivetime Show on Thursday 15 September 2011. I spoke to Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Presenter and senior journalist, Shafiq Morton who is currently traveling with the Gift of the Givers to Somalia...

DT 15-09-11 SHAFIQ MORTON UPDATE 9 by Dorianne

Somalia Day 8 - Update with Shafiq Morton

It is Day 8 for Gift of the Givers in Somalia. They are currently in the famine struck country to help Somalis who were dying of starvation. Our Drive time presenter and senior journalist, Shafiq Morton is with the aid mission. VOC Journalist Faatimah Hendricks spoke to him today. This interview was first broadcast on the Voice of the Cape Drivetime Show on Wednesday 14 September 2011....

DT 14-09-11 SHAFIQ MORTON DAY 8 by Dorianne

Somalia Day 6- Update with Shafiq Morton

It is day six of the Gift of the Givers Aid Mission to Somalia. The following is an interview I conducted with Voice of the Cape Drivetime Presenter, Shafiq Morton who is in the Horn of Africa. This interview was first broadcast on the Voice of the Cape on Monday 12 September 2011

DT 12-09-11 SHAFIQ MORTON UPDATE 4 by Dorianne

Somalia Day 7 Update with Shafiq Morton

The following is an interview I conducted with VOC Drivetime Presenter, Shafiq Morton who is currently traveling with Gift of the Givers to Somalia, where a team of doctors is providing life saving medical treatment. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape on Tuesday 13 September 2011

DT 13-09-11 SHAFIQ MORTON UPDATE 5 by Dorianne

Day 3: In the Horn of Africa

Dorianne Arendse

The following is an interview I conducted with Voice of the Cape Drivetime Presenter, Shafiq Morton on Day 3 of his trip to Somalia. This interview was broadcast on the 9 September 2011 on Voice of the Cape.

DT 09-09-11 SHAFIQ MORTON UPDATE 3 by Dorianne

Day 2 In the Horn of Africa

The following interview was conducted with VOC Drivetime Presenter on the second day of the Gift of the Givers Aid Mission to Somalia. The interview was first broadcast on the 8th September 2011 and was done via sat phone...

DT 08-09-11 SHAFIQ MORTON UPDATE 2 by Dorianne

Day 1- In the Horn of Africa

Below is an interview I conducted with VOC Drivetime Presenter, Shafiq Morton, shortly after he arrived in Somalia, with the Gift of the Givers Aid Mission. This was first broadcast on the Voice of the Cape's Drivetime show on last Wednesday.

Interview with Shafiq Morton on his trip to Somalia, day one by Dorianne

Strike causes chaos

The National Heatlh and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has warned people to stay away from state run hospitals and clinics as striking public servants embarked on a total shutdown of services. This comes as they rejected government’s latest wage offer of seven percent. Nehawu provincial secretary, Soroya Jawoodeen, staff at hospitals and clinics began picketing on Friday, despite all health workers being classified as ‘essential staff.’

“We have completely shutdown service delivery points. We spent most of yesterday mobilizing our members. Today, Tygerberg, Groote Schuur and GF Jooste hospitals are inaccessible to the public,” she told VOC News during an interview on Breakfast Beat.

When asked about emergency cases, she explained that shop stewards and marshals at the various picket lines will facilitate entry into the hospitals. “Chronic medication would be seen as an emergency. There is a ‘wall’ between the marshals and the police and this is not helping communication between our marshals and the public. We will keep an emergency lane open for trauma cases, ICU cases and maternity cases.”

Education

Meanwhile the Western Cape Education Department said its comprehensive three point contingency plan is in place to ensure that teaching still continues at school across the province. MEC for Education, Donald Grant, explained the plan is based on three main objectives: “to keep the learners safe and supervised, to ensure that teaching and learning continues as far as possible, and to manage the system so that it functions as effectively as possible despite the disruptions.”

“All our resources will be used to ensure that these objectives are met…to ensure that the rights of our learners are respected so that they can receive a quality basic education in these difficult times. The WCED has through its district offices, communicated with school management teams and governing body structures requirements for appropriate supervisory and safety arrangements,” he said.

Grant has urged parents and caregivers to send their children to school, until notified otherwise. “Yesterday there was isolated incidents of violence and intimidation throughout the province. These unlawful acts were effectively dealt with by Western Cape police. I wish to reiterate that we will use every available mechanism to ensure that the rights of children and teachers attending school are protected. Teachers who do not act responsibly face ‘serious consequences’ should they transgress the law.

Matric fears

Grant further explained that the Department had developed a number of curriculum support programmes, in an attempt to ensure that learning continues. “These programmes support all grades with a particular focus on our Grade 12’s who will begin writing the first practical examination of the National Senior Certificate Examinations in just 54 days time.”

“As part of the WCED’s ‘Own your future. Own your success. Study hard to pass YOUR matric’ campaign, the WCED initiated a number of tutorial programmes throughout the province during the second school term. The tutoring aims to increase the pass rate in high enrolment subjects with high failure rates and has garnered much support from the Grade 12 learners,” he said.

Grant urged Grade 12 learners to use their ‘Tips for Success’ booklet which will provide them with information on how to plan their revision programme and tips on how to study.

“We encourage our Grade 12 learners to use this booklet by ticking off what they know and how to identify areas where they feel they are weak and need improvement. Specific schools were also provided with extra past examination papers. We also ensured that all our Grade 12 learners received the necessary textbooks for major subject,” said Grant.

Thousands march for better wage

DORIANNE ARENDSE

Some twenty thousand public servants took to the streets in Cape Town on Tuesday in protest of government’s revised offer of seven percent and a housing allowance of R630. Public servants are demanding an 8.6 percent wage increase and a R1,000 housing allowance. Various unions affiliated to trade union Cosatu as well as the Public Servants Association marched to Parliament to hand over a memorandum highlighting their demands.

Provincial Chairperson for Nehawu, James Kruger, told VOC News that they are also demanding the equalization of medical aid. “Level 1-3 workers who are the lowest paid government officials are given free medical aid. But that free medical only gives you access to a state hospital and we all know that state of our current healthcare system in the country. Those members that have the so called free medical aid actually don’t have access to health care. The subsidy from level 4 onwards is only a third of the medical aid”, said Kruger.

In addition he said the R1000 housing subsidy was not their initial demand. Kruger said that even that subsidy will not be able to cover their bond repayments. “A determination on your approval for a bond is made on your annual salary the majority of public servants cannot go to the bank for a bond. But we are saying for those who can at least a R1000 subsidy will do”, said Kruger.

He said the 8.6 percent wage increase which the public servants are asking for amounts to about R80 for the lowest paid worker.

“The level 1 worker gets about R40 000 – R50 000 a year. If you take an 8 percent increase on that it is not even R80, so it does not represent much increase for the ordinary worker. That is why we have always fought for a sliding scale increase. They have to improve the salaries on the lower level. The disparity between a level 1 salary and that of a head of department’s salary is too great”, said Kruger.

Public Servants strike looms

Dorianne Arendse

The Public Servants Association is set to embark on strike action next week after wage negotiations between government and the unions deadlocked a few weeks ago. The association is asking for an 8.6 percent wage increase as well as a R1000 housing subsidy. However the employer is only offering a 6.5 percent wage increase across the board and a housing allowance of R620 a month. The Deputy General Manager for the association, Manie De Clerq said there had been no further meetings with the employer and they have now served notice to start strike action next Thursday.

"As far as the offer is concerned from the state, the offer still remains the same- a 6.5 percent wage increase and a R620 housing allowance. We have been given a mandate from our members to reject the offer and to issue a notice to strike. On Wednesday we gave notice to the Bargaining Council that we will commence with strike action on 29 July 2010. The reason for this date is that in the Public Service we are required to give 7 days notice of a strike," explained De Clerq.

De Clerq said the represent approximately 210 000 public servants from different sectors within government. "It does include almost any occupation that you have in the public sector. We must however say that the PSA is on record and we have said this many times, we have not balloted workers that have been classified as essential service like doctors and nurses. However those who have not been classified as essential services are welcome to take part in the strike.

"It is also important to note that the mere classification of essential service does not mean that the work that those who have not been classified is not important. If one takes the immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs, their jobs has not been classified as essential but they are the ones who control the ports of entry into the country. So if they down tools nobody can leave or enter the country," he said.

When asked about media reports which had indicated that the Minister for Public Service and Administration, Richard Baloyi's office was still in negotiations with the unions, De Clerq replied that the Minister can make statements to appease union. "He can only go back to the Bargaining Council because that is where official bargaining takes place when a different or an improved offer is made. If there are however bi-lateral meetings which takes place outside of that forum we are open to taking part in them and in fact that has happened.

"Last week the meeting with the Minister was such a meeting but it was not very successful. We have done that and we are on record to say that we will take part in any discussion to prevent this strike from happening. But we can't just go back to be told by the Minister like last week that he has nothing to offer. One cannot claim that as being discussions. A discussion must take us forward in order to try and avert the strike," explained De Clerq.

According to De Clerq there has been no movement in negotiations and therefore the decision to strike was taken. "This week there has not been any meetings in the bargaining council or bi-lateral meetings that have taken place with the minister. We find it strange that this is what media reports have indicated. I am not aware of any meetings that have been schedule for Thursday or Friday," said De Clerq

Socio-economy behind violence

DORIANNE ARENDSE

Government needs address the socio-economic concerns of the local residents in the country as this is what has led to the recent looting of shops owned by foreign nationals in townships recently. This is the view of researcher and writer in civil society, Glen Ashton. Speaking to VOC News on Tuesday afternoon Ashton said the looting of the shops in various townships is not xenophobia but is merely a battle for scarce resources in the community.

"My believe is that this is not xenophobia but rather a battle for resources amongst the poorer sectors of the community. This is amongst the poorest of the poor who are competing for resources especially with those who have had better opportunities in education. I think that there is quite a deep degree of resentment but it is not resentment because they are a different race, but resentment that they are economically more successful. They are seen to be having access to an inordinate amount of resources that locals believe should be reserved for them," said Ashton.


Frustration


Ashton explained that what one is seeing at the moment is sheer frustration on the part of the local community. "I think what we are seeing is a profound frustration on the part in the poorer sector of society, who remain voiceless ten years after democracy and with the neo-liberal balance of economic power in South Africa and the way development has happened in South Africa.

"The social net has been widened but sufficient resources have not been put into areas where there is nothing. Through out Africa the heart of the community is the market where goods are traded. There has been no move to open up democratic markets within the poorer communities. It is interesting that a lot of the immigrants have basically moved into these niches which are still existence in some parts of Africa. But in South Africa these markets have been crushed and have been forgotten through apartheid."

He said that a lot of the acts of violence have not only being directed at foreign nationals but also at some locals who may not necessarily be in from the Western Cape. "What we have seen in South Africa is interesting because a lot of the violence has not just been directed at people from outside the country.

"It is also directed at internal migrants within South Africa, where we see people come down from Venda to the Western Cape who according to the Xhosa speaking locals are concerned come from ‘Ethopia'- the cultural differences between the two groups are so vast. So again you find people from within South Africa being targeted as outsiders because they do not speak the local dialect," he said.


Army


Ashton agreed with the South African Institute for Race Relation's (SAIRR) view that sending in the army and additional police officers may send out mixed signals as to whether the attacks are xenophobic. "I believe that it does because locals would then believe that the state is protecting the outsiders because in most places we know that the poorest communities are the most dangerous places live in.

"The security there is abysmal and now suddenly the police and the army is being brought in - why are these huge resources being mobilized to help the poorer sectors of the community. I think it is almost bound to bring some degree of resentment to the communities and the South African Institute for Race Relations is quite correct."

However, Ashton is not of the view that hosting a summit on xenophobia or on ways to address the socio-economic concerns of the community would be of benefit. "South Africans love sitting down around tables and I personally think we need to see more action. We need to see more resources being moved into townships.

"Unfortunately I think the heads of our security apparatus - the police - seem to be heavier handed in their approached and I think we need a little hand. We understand what is going on and it might be useful to discuss the issue. There have been various forums where this has been discussed in places like Masiphumele and Khayelitsha where there has been dialogue between conciliation experts," he said.


Job Creation


When asked if foreign nationals were more resourceful in creating jobs for themselves, Ashton replied that we should look at the wonderful resources that is being made possible by the foreign nationals. "South Africa is seen as a huge economic magnet within Africa and we have migrants coming in with various skills, enabling us to employ people with a large skill base. I think it is a matter of embracing rather than seeing the foreign nationals as a threat."

Ashton commended the media for highlighting the possibility of another outbreak of xenophobic violence. "The media always gets tagged as fuelling these rumours but I think the media was instrumental in sharing the information about what was initially happening out there. If we did not have good media reports we would not have know what was actually happening.

"So rather than putting a lid on everything like in the old apartheid days we need to have a transparent media. There is a very powerful attack on the free media in South Africa and there is all kinds of legislation in the pipeline," he said

Criminals behind xeno: Mtethwa

Dorianne Arendse

The Minister of Police Nathi Mthetwa, along with the Premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille and the Mayor of Cape Town Dan Plato on Friday morning addressed a media briefing at Parliament following the recent threats of xenophobic violence. Shortly before the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup came to an end rumours surfaced in the media that foreign nationals living in the country were at risk of being attacked by locals. These reports sparked widespread fear amongst the foreigners many of whom were displaced during a wave of xenophobic violence during May 2008.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Police, Zweli Mnisi the meeting between the Premier and the Minister of Police was fruitful. Mnisi said the Minister had acknowledge that while some may label the recent looting of shops owned by foreign nationals as xenophobia there are also criminal elements involved. "The Minister moved from a premise that although the rumours can be labeled as xenophobic threats there are some criminal elements who are taking advantage of the situation. During the meeting the issue of prevention was raised. All levels of government from national, provincial and local government need to work together to ensure that there is no outbreak of xenophobic violence," said Mnsisi.

Plans

In addition to this the Premier also shared the plans of provincial government strategy to combat any violence which may flare up. "The Premier shared with us the provinces proposed strategy which looks at amongst others disaster management, as well as the involvement of all stakeholders including religious leaders as well as early warning systems which they have been using in the province," explained Mnisi.

According to Mnisi, the Premier was also briefed on the plans of the inter-ministerial committee which was set up 2 weeks ago to deal with xenophobia. "The Minister also shared with the Premier the plans of the inter-ministerial task team which looks at various sectors like the continuation of the recent world cup successes from a view point of policing. So during the meeting we were able to find some common ground regarding the xenophobic violence."

World Cup Courts

When asked if the special World Cup courts would remain in place to deal with those arrested for inciting xenophobic violence, Mnisi replied that he is not able to speak on behalf of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development even though it has been indicated that the courts may remain in place. "I cannot comment on behalf on the Department of Justice but in terms of our interactions as a government cluster they have assured as that there are plans afoot to continue those courts.

During the World Cup there were some tangible results and good outcomes in terms of the police working together with the Justice Department in terms of prosecution. Part of dealing with these xenophobic threats which are in essence criminality we have had an assurance from Justice that they are ready to deal with this issue," said Mnisi.

Hotspots

According to Mnisi, the extra police officers deployed during the World Cup in the province will now be moved to potential hotspots in the province. "Some of the police officers were deployed at the stadia and hotels looking after certain teams that were in country. Now that those teams are no longer here it would be a strategic deployment to potential hotspots, especially since those officers are now trained and have more expertise when it comes to dealing with mobs and people who may just want to fuel violence.

"That experience cannot be taken away from the police that they have gained by interacting with their counterparts from around the world. They will not only be deployed in terms of hotspots but will also be used to set up random roadblocks," he explained. In addition, the provincial government has also deployed 20 mediation teams to various flashpoints in the province where either xenophobic threats or attacks have been recorded.

The spokesperson for the Department of Local Government in the province, Dr Hildegard Fast said provincial governments plan is to ensure that there is no outbreak of xenophobic violence. "Our plan is that there should not be any xenophobic violence at all. All of the measures that we have put in place are very much orientated to that. As the provincial government we have worked with police to ensure that there is an effective early warning system in place. This will ensure that any calls that come in to the provincial government or municipalities are immediately forwarded to the South Africa Police Force. We have also deployed 20 mediators in the most vulnerable areas. This is to ensure that some of the tension is addressed," she said.

Mediation

Fast said the mediation in various communities has gone very well. "There has been some fantastic work done on the ground by a variety of community organizations. Faith based organizations have been at work and also some civil society organizations. I think in a combined way the fact that there is very little to report in the last days speaks to the success of the initiative," she said.

According to Fast, they are doing everything possible to make sure that there is no escalation in acts of xenophobia. "We are doing everything we can to ensure that does not happen. I think that we have learnt some things from the xenophobic attacks during 2008. I think that because we do have an early warning system in place increases our chances of making sure it does not happen again."

She said that most of the pressure has been of the police force and not the Joint Operations Centre. "I think in fact that most of the pressure has been on the police, because in the first instance when there is any threat of violence or any violence starts to break out it is the safety and security response in the first instance and I think the police has responded very well. Because there has been so little displacement there has not been much humanitarian assistance that has been required on the part of the province or the city,"

Socio-economic factors

According to Fast, the socio-economic conditions in the country is playing a huge role in xenophobic attacks. "It is one of the key contributing factors to the fact that there might be tensions in the community. There will be competition for rare resources in the community between the locals and foreign nationals. So clearly this requires a multi-faceted approached. During the media briefing on Friday these issues were raised. We need to identify more economic opportunities for people.

"There is also the issue of transferring skills from some of the foreign traders to the local traders to ensure that there is less competition and we also need to have an education campaign. There are a range of things that local and provincial government can do to ensure that there are no further outbreaks of xenophobia in the province," said Fast.

Police on high alert amid rumours of xenophobic violence

The Ministry of Police will be on high alert to ensure that xenophobic violence is quelled as quickly as possible should it flare up after FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup. This was the announcement made by the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthetwa on Thursday at a media briefing held by the inter-ministerial task team set up last week to look at ways of preventing further xenophobic attacks. During 2008 thousands of refugees mostly Zimbabweans were left destitute as the locals attacked and chased them out of the townships they were living in.

Mthetwa said the security put in place for the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup will remain in place after the tournament ends on Sunday to curb any outbreak of violence. In addition Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) will be spearheading an aggressive communication strategy to counter and mitigate the risk posed by unbalanced media reports which instill fear in foreign nationals.

The inter-ministerial committee comprises of several other ministries including Home Affairs, Social Development, State Security, Basic Education, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Art and Culture and International Relations and Cooperation. Last week rumours of xenophobic violence after the world cup once again did the rounds in townships in the Western Cape.

"We will not tolerate any threat or act of violence against any individual or sector of society, no matter what reasons are given to justify such threats or actions. Government is closely monitoring these xenophobic threats by faceless criminals whose desire is to create anarchy. We want to assure society that our police are on the ground to thwart these evil acts," said Mthetwa.

Plan

Mthetwa outlined a detailed multi faceted plan to prevent any outbreak of violence against foreign nationals in South Africa. He further called on all civic organizations, political parties, youth formations and religious groupings to work together. "In the unlikely event of another breakout of violence against foreign nationals or violence in any form, government will take appropriate legal measures to bring perpetrators to book.

"Our security agencies are prepared to deal effectively with any violence against anyone, including foreign nationals. We continue to monitor all and any threats. Should any be found to be credible measures will be implemented immediately to prevent any outbreak of violence," he said. According to Mthetwa their research has found that the rumours have been spread by criminal elements.

"The locus of these tensions is mainly driven by criminal elements in areas where there are high levels of poverty and unemployment. There has been a proliferation of businesses owned by foreign nationals in the townships and informal settlements across all provinces. Furthermore there is a sharp increase in anti foreigner sentiment spreading from the metropolitan cities and surrounding townships to smaller towns and rural areas across South Africa," explained Mthetwa.

He said the task team had noted that one of the contributing factors to the renewed threat of xenophobic violence is unemployment amongst the youth. "The inter-ministerial committee further noted that the most disturbing factor is the marked involvement of unemployed young people in this ghastly manifestation of discontent.

"It is a matter of common knowledge that some foreign nationals do not register their presence in the country with the relevant government institutions. Therefore the integration of foreign nationals in society is crucial. This scenario leads to deep resentment and discontent," said Mthetwa.

SAAIR: Looting of shops owned by foreigners xenophobic

Dorianne Arendse

The South African Institute for Race Relations (SAIRR) believes that the recent looting of shops owned by foreign nationals in the Western Cape is xenophobia and not acts of criminality as said by the Minister of Police Nathi Mthetwa. Speaking to VOC's Breakfast Beat on Wednesday morning spokesperson at SAIRR, Catherine Schulze said the Institute was receiving information that casual threats and insinuations of violence against foreign African migrants were increasing.

"The environment is frustrating and the information as all the information at hand was anecdotal. It was very difficult to find hard facts on the extent to which the threats were escalating. However the Institute is not predicting an outbreak of violence as there was not enough information at hand to make such a prediction," said Schulze.

She said that the SAIRR was cautioning that the environment that gave rise to the 2008 attacks was largely unchanged. "Poverty, unemployment and incomes indicators had not shifted significantly since 2008, while high levels of crime and violence were an everyday reality in many poor communities. At the same time, reports of increased threats, some disguised as jokes and idle banter, created and enabling environment for a renewed series of attacks."

Task team

Last week an inter-ministerial task team was set up deal with the socio-economic factors which may have led to the rumours being circulated in various townships in the province. "We were notified about some foreign nationals who were hiding at various police stations in the province. We went there on Monday to find out exactly what the story is. We have always had a stance that these are criminal acts which are been perpetuated along racial lines. While we might be sitting here and thinking that it is xenophobia, if people have legitimate concerns against certain foreign nationals they must not be a blanket approach. So we cannot say that all foreign nationals are stealing our jobs, some foreign nationals are taking our jobs," said Zweli Mnisi the spokesperson for the Minister for Police.

She is of the opinion that there is no point in Government denying the presence of xenophobic prejudice in the country as attacks had continued to occur since 2008, although not on the same scale as those of that year. "We were told previously that police were unable to devote resources to determining the exact extent of these attacks. We are urging government and the ANC to use their leadership positions in the country to change the perceptions that many black South Africans harboured towards foreign African immigrants. We described this discrimination as possibly the most prevalent form of overt racism in the country."

Unfounded

However, Mnisi felt that the statement made by the SAIRR was unfounded. "We prefer intellect and we have always said that this is a societal challenge. We would not like to debate these things in the media. If people have evidence of this then they must come forward with the information and give to the police, they must not be denialists. What this does is it creates a situation where people just spread rumours to create anxiety. This is why the integrated plan which was outline by the Minister last week is not just a government plan it encompasses society as well. We appeal to organizations to issue statements that are unfounded."

He said that reports were first surfaced that foreigners were leaving the Western Cape in droves but an investigation by intelligence official had proved this to be far from the truth. "First and foremost we were told that some people were leaving in droves in the Western Cape because of xenophobia. When we sent our intelligence down there, some of them- not all of them- said they were seasonal workers. We are not thumb sucking this information, we are on the ground," he explained.

Mnisi said that when shops are looted and burnt down the perpetrators are not arrested and charged for acts of xenophobia. "When you burn a shack, when you kill people there is no section of the law to say it is xenophobia- it is a sheer criminal act. That is why as police we have said we will act on these things. When we arrest people we do not arrest them on a charge of xenophobia, there is a charge that says you have burnt property or you have killed people. That is what we charge them with."

Cape on xeno alert

Dorianne Arendse

The provincial government in the Western Cape said it is keeping a close on eye on the situation in the various townships in the province after several foreign owned shops were looted on Sunday. The spokesperson for provincial disaster management, Daniella Ebenezer, said 70 foreigners had sought refuge overnight at the Mbekweni police station in Paarl and 22 at the Wellington police station. Recent media reports have indicated that they may be renewed xenophobic violence in the province once the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup ends.

"The South African Police have reported to us that there was sporadic looting on Sunday in the Western Cape on shops owned by foreign nationals. They have also indicated that the situation is under control and that they are maintaining a high visibility in the most vulnerable areas. As provincial government we are monitoring the situation together with our municipal disaster centres and we are providing information to the police about any threats," she said.

According to Ebenezer, the provinces community development workers are playing a pivotal role in providing information to police on any threats. "The provinces community development workers have been instrumental to authorities in providing information on what is happening on the ground.

"We have provincial mediators who went into the communities last week who will continue their efforts this week. Provincial and local governments are on standby to provide humanitarian support should this be required. In addition to this the provincial disaster management joint operations centre established for the World Cup is still in operation, as is the City's joint operation centre and the South African Police," said Ebenezer.

She said that the faith based organizations in the various communities have been running workshops similar to the one which was held in Khayelitsha on Friday morning. The spokesman for the ministry of police, Zweli Mnisi said they are pleased with this initiative. He said the community had invited the Minster of Police Nathi Mthetwa to address the community. Last Thursday Mthetwa outlined a detailed planned to combat any outbreak of violence post world cup.

"We commend the community of Khayelitsha because we launched our plan on Thursday but by Friday this community had called to ask us to came and interact with the community- so that we as government was able to see what they were doing as community to combat xenophobia. They took the first step towards saying no to xenophobia, no to racism and not afro-pessimism. It was a community driven issue which as government we support this," said Mnisi.

In addition, Mnisi has called on the media to report responsibly on issues like xenophobia. This comes after media reports last week had indicated that scores of foreign nationals were seen along the national highway with their belongings and would be moving out of the province because of the rumours of xenophobic violence. He said the department had done their own research and had in fact spoken to the foreign nationals, who turned out to be seasonal workers looking for other employment.

"It brings me to another point of responsible reporting. The reports in the media last week were not true. The fact of the matter is that our intelligence has basic security on board. They then discovered that in the Western Cape there are seasonal workers who would leave in droves to find other employment. So for some of the media to give the impression that they were leaving because fears is irresponsible," he said.

He said that following the threats of intimidation to foreign nationals in some townships, the Ministers for Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu and the Minister for Police came to Cape Town today to get first hand reports from senior law enforcement officers. "Senior officers reported that criminal elements are threatening innocent foreign nationals and taking their goods and assts.

"The police reported that they had made arrests in a number of incidents. The Ministers has instructed law enforcement agencies to deal harshly with anyone who threatens any citizen in the country. Foreign nationals who are intimidated and threatened must report the perpetrators to the police," said Mnisi.

With the FIFA 2010 World Cup finally over I now finally have the time to post some of the articles which I have written pre- world cup and during the world cup.

Dorianne

FIFA Ripping South Africa Off

Dorianne Arendse

With the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup merely a few weeks away, an investigative reporter based in the UK has said that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) should have done more to protect the interest of ordinary South African citizens. This is according to Andrew Jennings an investigative journalist based in London. Jennings For the past nine years he has investigated the sporting body for the past ten years. He is of the opinion that FIFA was not really able to impose all the rules it has on South Africa during the 2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) this month launched a book entitled the Player and Referee: Conflicting Interests looks at the soccer tournament and is a national case study which looks at the issues within all host provinces as well as the challenges to their construction of their respective stadia. The case studies have been examined by six top investigative journalists.

"When you mention the word FIFA we have to have two concepts in mind. One is the mass of officials around the world who do mostly clerical work but on top of that there is a tiny super structure- Sepp Blatter who controls his 24 man executive committee and about a third of them are involved in bribery and corruption, ticket rackets and diversion of funds. Not all of them are involved in these activities," explained Jennings.

Banned

Jennings is also the only journalist to be banned by FIFA President Sepp Blatter. "Sepp Blatter banned me in April 2003, after I wrote a story in a London newspaper, disclosing that he pays himself a vast secret bonus- six figures is Swiss Francs. We never got the precise number. He banned me because I did this with a legally sworn affidavit from a former finance director.

"The evidence is perfect, Blatter pays himself money. He will never talk about what he earns. I defy any reporter anywhere in the world to actually say to Sepp Blatter and get a truthful answer- how much do you pay yourself in bonuses, expenses, car allowances and accomadation allowances", said Jennings.

Jennings said that he would like to see South African reporters gang up on Blatter when he is in the country for the soccer spectacle, so that he would be forced to reveal all of these details. He said the same day the article was published to a media statement was issued which said that Blatter would sue the London Daily Mail as well as the Jennings. To date no lawsuit has been brought against the journalist or the newspaper.

Rules

When asked about all the rules and regulations which were put in place by FIFA for the World Cup in South Africa, Jennings replied that there was a serious problem in South Africa. "FIFA would never have been allowed to get these legislations passed to have public authorities banning street vendors telling you as South Africans what you can and can't do in your own country.

"I think that you have to look at the local organizing committee and you have to be putting tough questions Danny Jordaan, Irvan Khoza and the rest of them. It would appear gentlemen that you have sold South Africa down the river. Can we talk about it please, because no other country would put up with this, Germany did not put up with this kind of repressive behavior in 2006. And if England is successful we certainly won't put up with this either", explained Jennings.

According to Jennings both the local media as well as the international media is concerned about the informal sector in South Africa which has been sidelined by the Soccer World Cup. "Of course Danny Jordaan is going to say that he has not sold South Africa down the river. Look at the evidence and make up your own minds. FIFA will make off at the end of the tournament with billions of dollars", said Jennings.

Ticketing system

He has also slammed the ticketing system which has been used by FIFA for the World Cup. "Everybody that who wanted to knew that the majority of the population sadly knows that they do not have access to computer terminals. The majority of the population does not have plastic credit cards; they do not have banking accounts. This is a well known to Jordaan and the other South African officials.

This is even known to the international media. We have visited the informal settlements, we have visited the townships and we know about economic deprivation. So why did FIFA go ahead with this insane internet ticket system. But I can tell you why because it means that they can hold an awful lot behind to sell on the black market.

When asked if he had documented proof of this he replied that it had happened in other tournaments on numerous occasions. "It always does happen. I got hold of the internal Ernst and Young audit report from 2006 Germany World Cup on a Mr. Jack Warner from Trinidad who is the FIFA Vice President getting 5400 tickets to sell on the black market. I got the report and the story is now well known."

When asked about the media accreditation and the manner in which FIFA went about accrediting various media houses in the country, Jennings replied that once again the Local Organizing Committee should be held accountable. "I think it worse in South Africa and again you have been let down by your own football leaders.

"They should be going in to fight on your behalf and say hang on how can you refuse our community. There should be at least one of our reporters in there with a microphone. They must be let into the congress to see FIFA enjoy the money they are extracting from this World Cup. I have never seen FIFA getting away with so much on a host country.

Mandela as pawn

In his research Jennings indicates that former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu were used as pawns in April 2004 by Jack Warner. "You know as well as any body else in the world that Nelson Mandela suffered over many decades for his own country, South Africa. Then when he got off Robben Island and he did that famous walk we all thought that, that was the end of him being oppressed but it was not.

"He wanted to go on struggling for his country and get the football tournament. Jack Warner forced Mandela and Tutu who were both very unwell to go to a jamboree in Trinidad so that he could show off his prisoners. I think Mandela was treated better while he was imprisoned on Robben Island," said Jennings.

"He was exhausted; he should not have being flying all that way in the first place to beg for his country. Then on the day of the vote in Zurich Warner turns up and demands more face time and Mandela just had to do as he was told," said Jennings

Businesses urged to close early on for WC opening ceremony

With under 48 hours to go before the kick off the to FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has called on businesses in the Western Cape to close their doors at 1pm on Friday afternoon, so that workers are able to watch the World Cup Opening Ceremony at home or at the Fan Parks.

"I think it that it is important that workers are both able to see the opening ceremony as well as the first game. The only way that is possible is if they do leave work early on Friday to be able to be with their families or at the Fanparks where they would be enjoying the game," said Tony Ehrenreich, spokesperson for Cosatu in the Western Cape.

According to Ehrenreich, everyone should be feeling the spirit of the World Cup. "People should enjoy it, and we should feel as one. It would be impossible to feel as one if some people in our community are unable to get to the venues on time." He said Cosatu will be negotiating with employers as well as the Cape Chamber of Commerce to close businesses early on Friday.

Nation-building

"The important objective of the World Cup is to have all of SA identifying with it and to maximize its nation-building potential, in a manner that heals our fractured society. Where arrangements are in place with workplace management these will continue and Cosatu's call is only to apply in areas where no arrangements or provisions exist," said Ehrenreich.

When asked if the World Cup would affect productivity, Ehrenreich replied: "It could affect productivity in two ways. On the one hand people could stay away from work and that would have a negative effect on productivity as they go and watch the games instead of going to work. But on the other hand it is generating so much excitement and that has a positive affect on productivity."

Explore options

Meanwhile, the Cape Chamber of Commerce confirmed to VOC that Cosatu has requested a meeting with them to explore the idea of having businesses closing earlier so that their workers are able to watch the opening ceremony as well as the opening match. "It is always difficult to come up with a general rule on these types of requests and issue," said Albert Schuitmaker the chairman of the Cape Chamber of Commerce.

"There are so many different types of businesses that have to continue to work, like the 24/7 operations, which cannot afford to close down or even miss a shift. You have the service industry that has been called upon now to operate at full tilt." He said that there are businesses that are part of the value chain, where customers expect them to supply on Friday and both their suppliers need to supply them in order to keep the production processes going.

"It is almost impossible for the retail sector to close earlier. What we have been saying at the Chamber for the last couple of months is that there is an extraordinary period of time with the World Cup and employers and employees should be sitting together to talk about any request that could be negotiated. In addition to that companies can make arrangements so that staff can stay and can watch the activities, particularly the opening ceremony on television at the offices of the employer," said Schuitmaker.

WC: No surge in business for locals around the Grand Parade FanFest

Despite the festive mood in the Mother City on Friday ahead of the kick off match to mark the start of the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup, local business in the area is seething. They claim that business has been slow since the official kick of concert which took place on Thursday. The loss in business is mainly due to the stampede that took place at the FanFest on Thursday when soccer fans forced their way into the already packed public viewing area. Police today maintained a strong presence, since the Fanfest was already filled to capacity by 12pm.

One owner told VOC News that when they were initially approached by the organisers of the event they were not told that their business would be negatively impacted. According to Dominic Masewu, the World Cup is killing his business. "The World Cup is killing my business, the World Cup is here and we are all excited about it, but now the police won't allow any one to come inside and that means that we are not able to trade as we normally do," said Masewu.

No business surge

"The police are saying that they are trying to control the crowd but at the end of the day they are trying to prevent the crowd from going into the Fanfest, but they can allow a few people in at time and allow them to watch the game at my restaurant," said Masewu. He said the documents which they had signed had indicated that there would be a surge in business. He said they were still waiting for an official from the City of Cape Town to get back the business in the area.

According to the manager of Pie City he had lost about R7000.00, which could easily have paid his rent at the end of the month. When the manager of the Chicken Licken was approached about the matter he said he wished not to comment, this despite his outlet being empty. The manager at the KFC in the area could not comment at the time, as she first had to get clearance from the owner.

One owner told VOC News that when they were initially approached by the organisers of the event they were not told that their business would be negatively impacted. According to Dominic Masewu the World Cup is killing his business. "The World Cup is killing my business, the World Cup is here and we are all excited about it, but now the police won't allow any one to come inside and that means that we are not able to trade as we normally do," said Masewu.

"The police are saying that they are trying to control the crowd but at the end of the day they are trying to prevent the crowd from going into the Fanfest, but they can allow a few people in at time and allow them to watch the game at my restaurant," said Masewu. He said the manual that they were given by the event organiser at the Fanfest did not indicate that their businesses would be negatively affected in anyway

Cape Town Stadium holds up well

Despite the heavy downpour on Monday, the pitch at the Cape Town Stadium was not adversely affected by the inclement weather. According to the City of Cape Town's Director of Communication's Pieter Cronje, the pitch was built according to international standards precisely to deal with such weather.

"The pitch was very well constructed according to international standards and FIFA requirements. Clearly it has been layered in the way that will facilitate drainage. Watching the match last night on a soaked field it was certainly playable. There were one or two slips but by and large the pitch was fine," he told VOC's Breakfast Beat on Tuesday.

Transport

On a different note, Cronje reported that many fans did not make use of public transport as was advised by the City on Monday. "They thought that because of the rain they could take a chance, but obviously if you have that especially at going home time, you will have congestion on the roads in the city and that is unfortunate. I think it just reinforces that it is so much simpler and easier to use public transport. If you come in by taxi, by bus or by rail to the Cape Town station, you just walk about 200-300 metres across to the shuttle pick up point," Cronje said.

He also urged those who have purchased tickets for other matches at the Cape Town stadium to make use of the Fan Walk. "When the weather is fine you must sample the Fan Walk. It is an incredible 2.5 metres of the pedestrian route, from the Central City, across the station right through to Somerset Road and the stadium. It is adorned with flags, there is musical entertainment, people in soccer garb, places to eat and have fun. It is a really fun and cosmopolitan soccer experience."

Strike

When asked about the strike by security guards at the stadium shortly before the gates to the stadium opened on Monday night, Cronje replied that extra security was not procured by the City of Cape Town but by FIFA. "The people in question are not employed by the City of Cape Town. They were contracted by FIFA's Local Organising Committee (LOC) who of course is in charge of the stadium, the perimeter and the entire event.

"So these are contracted service providers that they have used. My understanding is that it is between 400 and 450 safety stewards who help with security matters in support of the police and other security agencies inside the stadium. When they went on strike, the organizing committee at the venue then contacted SAPS and asked them to take control, which they dually did," Cronje explained.

He added that security was beefed up with additional personal from the City of Cape Town. "We supplemented with some of the City's own law enforcement staff and got the numbers there to process the people and at the time of kick off, the stadium was over 90 percent full."

Trains

On a related note, Cronje said that the certain railway stations have a park-and-ride facility. "The railway stations with event transport in our metro are: Kraaifontein, Monta Vista, Eerste River, Khayelitsha, Phillipi, Nyganga, Heideveld, Landsdowne and Plumbstead. We also have a bus park and ride from the Kroonendaal Primary school in Hout Bay and the Camps Bay High School and of course also the University of Cape Town.

"There are facilities to park and then used public transport and that will help in getting you to and from the venue trouble free." Cronje said that thus far the City has had no reports of any damage or problems with the park-and-ride facilities at the various stations.

As for the Fanfests, Cronje said the city published supplements in newspapers last week regarding when the FanFests or Fan Jols would be open. "We urged people to keep them or if they missed it they should collect a copy of the supplement at the library. In it we have complete information about the FanFest or Fan Jols.

"The FanFest at the Grand Parade which has an international flavour will be open everyday of the tournament. The Fan Jols which is Bellville, the sports complex in Mitchells Plain, the OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha and Vygieskraal in Athlone will only screen Cape Town matches, Bafana matches and then knock out rounds, quarter finals and the finals," Cronje related.

FAN WALK MAJOR HIT DURING WORLD CUP

Dorianne Arendse

A whopping 72,910 people made use of the fan walk to walk to and from the stadium on the Thursday night for the fifth FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup match played at the Cape Town stadium on Thursday evening. According to the City of Cape Town's media manager, Kylie Hatton the fan walk has been one of the greatest features of the World Cup to date.

"The fan walks is one of the great successes of the World Cup for the City of Cape Town. People have really enjoyed walking along it. We were worried in the beginning with it being a 2.5km walk that some people might complain about it being too long. We have had no complaints about its length, in fact people have thoroughly enjoyed the different characters that they can see on the fan walk," she explained.

Entertainment

Hatton said on match days at the Cape Town stadium they have a number of entertainers that people can watch while walking. "We have some art displays from artist across Cape Town. We also have some lovely food stalls were people can buy food on their way to and from the stadium. We also have drinks available at the local restaurants if people want to pop in as well. The fan walk has really become a huge part of the world cup experience."

According to Hatton, the weather has also had a great influence on the number of people that use the fan walk and the MyCiti shuttle service to get to and from the stadium on match days. "With the pleasant winter evening on Thursday we estimate there were over 100,000 people on and around the fan walk during the day. Prior to Thursday's match at the stadium the highest number of people recorded on the fan walk was 45,400 which was on 11 June 2010," said Hatton.

She said that the City is seeing an increasing number of people coming to the city's public areas to experience the World Cup and to be part of the festivities on match days even though they do not have tickets for the game. She added that the fan walk is being used by soccer fans that do not have tickets for the matches at the Cape Town stadium.

Open Fanfests

According to Hatton a national decision was taken to open all the FIFA FanFest in the country two hours later as there will be no games played at 13:30. "A national decision has been made to open all the FIFA FanFest in the country two hours later as no more 13:30 games will be played from the round of 16 stage of the tournament onwards.

"The FIFA FanFest on the Grand Parade will be open from 1pm to 11pm every day and not from 11am to 11pm. The City's four fan jols at Vygieskraal, Swartklip, the Bellville Velodrome and OR Tambo will also be open from 1pm to 11pm on Tuesday 29 June for the round of 16 match at the Cape Town stadium as well as on all remaining Cape Town match days and quarter-final, semi-final and final game days," Hatton said.

She reminded spectators to arrive early at the stadium or public viewing areas in order to be in time for the match. "Stadium gates open three and half hours before kick off and early arrival prevents congestion at the stadium's entrance gats. Fans are advised to travel light as security checks take longer when staff have to search large handbags and rucksacks. Rain jackets should be used when necessary, as umbrellas may not be taken into the stadium," said Hatton.

When asked about the security at the stadium, Hatton replied that security was overseen by the Local Organizing Committee and not the City. "In terms of safety and security at the stadiums, safety and security is control by the FIFA Local Organizing Committee, so you would have to speak to them about the security arrangements. In terms of overall security the City has been very pleased with the way in which the event has gone ahead thus far. We have had very minor incidents and we are very pleased with that," she said.

Hatton also urged residents and visitors to continue using public transport to travel to and from the stadium or the public viewing areas on match days.

Joint Operations Centre worked well during World Cup

The City of Cape Town has opened a Joint Operations Centre at the Transport Management Centre in Goodwood to help with operations during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. According to the spokesperson for Disaster Risk Management operations, Greg Pillay, to date at the centre has gone off without a hitch.

"It has worked remarkably well, all the applicable role players seated together in one room. In addition we have external role players like the South African Police Force, the Defence Force as well as provincial government representatives from the Western Cape. In addition to this we also have a lot of high-tech equipment available to us, including the CCTV footage. These images are actually used very gainfully to look at overcrowding and other issues as such."

Pillay said the centre is used mostly for monitoring purposes. "To a large extent it is has a monitoring overview facility. The idea is to be on top of matters and as they arise look at remedial action. We particularly look at the venues and the way venues fill so we use it as a monitoring tool at all the public viewing areas that basically gives you the totals as people enter the public viewing areas. This allows us to immediately get an idea of crowding and then you can also decide to remedial action. We also have a variable electronic signage on the free ways which is also control by the centre."

Warning system

According to Pillay, this has helped the City in warning the public of venues that are full. "In an instance for example if a particular area was full or overflowing we are able to then re-direct the public through the variable signage and ask them not to go to that venue. If the Fanfest at the Grand Parade such messaging has gone out in the last view weeks."

Pillay said that the high tech equipment at the Joint Operations Centre had alerted them to the possible stampede at the Grand Parade Fanfest at the free concert hosted before the kick off to the World Cup. "It is exactly because we had that in place that we were able to monitor the Grand Parade Fanfest.

"Remedial action could then be taken and we were able to avert a possible incident or disaster from occurring. That happened on the eve of the 2010 launch. Some of the lessons learnt out of that were then brought into future planning. That has helped us to a large extent to ensure that we have appropriate crowd management place," he said.

Pillay added that since the start of the World Cup no major changes have been made to how the centre has operated. He said that it was not unusual for the City of Cape Town to establish a Joint Operations Centre for major events.

"We have used this before. This principle has been ongoing for many years now that you have a Joint Operations Centre overseeing a major event. In addition to that each venue will have a Venue Operations Centre (VOC) in place and the Joint Operations Centre is in communication with the VOC. There are good organizational arrangements in place and communication with various role-player," Pillay said.