Daily Archives: May 25, 2012

Unhappy? Blame Facebook

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Facebook is a habit-forming activity – but users who spend a lot of time on the site say they feel less happy with their lives.

University of Gothenburg researchers say that many users log in as soon as they turn their PCs on – and that the behaviour can develop into an “addiction”.

Up to 85 percent of users say that they use Facebook daily – and half say they start up Facebook as soon as they open their web users.

Half fear that they are not “on top of things” if they are not logged into the site, and 25 percent say they fill “ill at ease” if they can’t log in regularly.

The Swedish survey, which polled 1 000 people aged 18-73 showed the social network had its dark side.

“Facebooking may become an unconscious habit. A majority of the respondents log in every time they start their web browser. This may even develop into an addiction,” says Leif Denti, doctoral student of psychology at the University of Gothenburg.

People with low income and low-educated individuals spend more time on Facebook.

Women are generally more active than men on Facebook.

Users with low income and low education use Facebook more than other groups. Within these groups, users who spend more time on Facebook also report feeling less happy and less content with their lives. This relationship is also present for women, but not for men.

The other surprise about the network is that although a huge amount of personal “news” is traded, through the site, it tends to focus purely on the positive.

“Facebook is a social tool that is clearly used to manage relationships with friends and family,” says Denti.

“But users won’t write just anything – most of the content they share has something to do with major events, positive events and when feeling good. Only 38 percent write about negative emotions and events.” – Daily Mail

WHO USES IT AND FOR HOW LONG:

The average user spends 75 minutes a day on Facebook

The average user logs on to Facebook 6.1 times a day

70% log in every time they start their computer or web reader

26% feel ill at ease if they do not get to log in regularly

Women spend on average 81 minutes a day on Facebook

Men spend on average 64 minutes a day on Facebook

Opposition parties want Cele sacked swiftly

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IOL news sep 26 SA PN zumacele7

President Jacob Zuma must fire suspended police commissioner Bheki Cele, opposition political parties said on Friday.

According to media reports the board of inquiry into Cele’s fitness to hold office recommended he be removed from his job.

The presidency however, warned journalists to “be cautious” in the way they report on the matter.

“The board has apparently found that Cele lacked the capacity to execute his official duties efficiently and was not fit to hold office,” DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard said.

“President Zuma must act swiftly and decisively upon the recommendations of the board and sack Bheki Cele as top cop once and for all.”

Zuma appointed the board in November to probe Cele’s fitness to remain in office and allegations of misconduct relating to two leases for new police headquarters in Pretoria and Durban, which Cele signed with businessman Roux Shabangu.

Zuma suspended Cele in October 2011.

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found Cele’s action pertaining to the leases was improper, unlawful, and amounted to misconduct.

The team which led evidence against Cele in the inquiry called for his dismissal. He denies any wrongdoing.

Board of inquiry chairman Judge Jakes Moloi presented the inquiry’s report to Zuma on May 20.

The report “found Cele’s misconduct as national police commissioner, and his apparent unlawful conduct”, further proved he was unable to hold office, Kohler-Barnard said.

She said there was speculation that former ANC chief whip and current labour department director general Nkosinathi Nhleko would replace Cele.

This, she said, did not bode well for the police, who had been virtually “crippled at the top” by Cele and former commissioner Jackie Selebi.

“The appointment of Adv Nhleko, another career politician with no experience in the police, would be disastrous,” she said.

Acting police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi had apparently “fallen out of favour” with Zuma due to his growing and unexpected resistance to “executive interference”.

“The president must demonstrate that fighting crime is a priority for government,” Kohler-Barnard said.

The Congress of the People welcomed the board’s “recommendation” to release Cele.

“This is a logical turn of events when people holding high office behave in the manner he did,” the party said.

“Cele is yet another case that is painting a bleak picture for our hard-earned democracy.”

Cele’s lawyer, Vincent Maleka, and spokesman, Vuyo Mkhize, were unavailable for comment on Friday afternoon.

Mkhize however, was quoted in The Witness newspaper on Friday saying Cele would consider “all available avenues to challenge the validity of the report, including a review application to the high court”.

Maleka said on Thursday he had not seen the inquiry’s report, and so could not confirm whether it had been recommended that Cele be removed. – Sapa

ANC fixated with succession battles: Gigaba

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iol news pic ANC centenary 22

The ANC’s obsession with succession battles is crippling its ability to deliver, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Friday.

“In the recent years we have become so inwardly focused that our people should be wondering if they still matter at all,” Gigaba told the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) national congress in Kempton Park.

“Factionalism is slowly and seriously crippling our movement and distracting our attention from our historic mandate. We are fixated with succession battles.”

Leadership squabbles were detracting the ANC from the urgent business of the day. Gigaba called for unity and discipline.

Succession debates had been dominating the media in the lead-up to the ANC’s 53rd national conference in Mangaung in December.

Gigaba said militancy had always been a part of the ANC’s revolutionary struggle, but it could not allow militant behaviour that was alien to the party.

“The militancy … has always been required to enrich the struggle. We can therefore not allow opportunists and demagogues to hijack, to advocate and perpetuate alien behaviour within the movement.”

This had “manifested itself in various ways including some shockingly crude, disrespectful and un-ANC remarks made in the public domain”.

Prior to Gigaba taking the podium, the NUM passed a resolution to support the ANC’s leadership elected in Polokwane in 2007 at Mangaung.

The NUM is a key constituent of the Congress of SA Trade Unions, which is part of the tripartite alliance, along with the ANC and the SA Communist Party. – Sapa

‘Ignore call to boycott City Press’

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Ferial Haffajee1

People must ignore the ANC’s call to boycott City Press over an image on its website depicting President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed, the United Democratic Movement said on Friday.

“Both the SACP and the ANC appear to be using the saga between President Zuma and cartoonists to fight their own battles with the City Press, which exposed their hypocrisy on many issues,” UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said.

“Their call would have resonated with the people in the pre-1994 era when they still served as a moral compass for South Africans. However, given the extent of corruption in government together with its poor service delivery record, attempts by a compromised leadership to call for a newspaper boycott are unlikely to succeed.”

People knew the same newspaper brought them news about corruption in government, including the involvement of tripartite alliance partners’ investment arms in government tenders, said Holomisa.

The Congress of the People said people should defend their right to know and buy the City Press.

“To call for a boycott is synonymous to denying citizens to know the views of others on contentious issues that are in the public discourse. Rather, we would like to advise the ruling party to engage 1/8rather 3/8 than shut the paper out,” said a statement from Buks Mahlangu, Cope spokesman.

He said it was particularly disappointing that while there was a quest for information and contesting of ideas, the leading party was seeking to stop people from reading and participating in debates, through the print media, on issues that affected their day-to-day life.

The ANC has applied to the High Court in Johannesburg to force City Press to remove the image of the Brett Murray painting “The Spear” from its website.

They also called for the boycott unless the publication complied with this demand and apologised.

City Press has so far refused. – Sapa

Real Madrid Manchester United scouts searching for talent at 8-Nations Tournament

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By Obakeng Maje

The prestigious 8-Nation International tournament will provide South Africans with the unique opportunity to see some of the cream of the world’s football talent in action, with proceedings kicking off in Cape Town today (Friday, 25 May 2012).

The teams joining hosts South Africa in this exciting array of youth are Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Ghana, Japan, Kenya and Nigeria.

The tournament starts at 18H00 at the Athlone Stadium when South Africa Under-20 coach Solly Luvhenho leads his charges into battle against Argentina.

The South Americans have won six of the 17 FIFA U-20 World Cups to date, in the process blooding players such as Lionel Messi, Javier Saviola and Sergio Agüero.

The second match of the day will be another potential thriller when bitter West African rivals Ghana and Nigeria go head to head (kick off is at 20H30, also at Athlone).

The prestige of the 2012 8-Nation International tournament is highlighted by the intense interest it has received from the international football community – representatives from some of the biggest clubs across the globe will be down in the Mother City over the next 10 days.

“We have been inundated with phenomenal interest from some of the biggest football organizations in the world, the likes of Real Madrid (Spain), Manchester United (England) and clubs from Brazil will all be sending scouts to watch the tournament,” said acting SAFA President Mandla Shoes Mazibuko.

“We kick off with two fantastic games which should set the trend for a highly entertaining week ahead. With the quality of the teams on display, there are certain to be many top class players on display.

“This represents a wonderful opportunity for soccer fans to come out in their thousands and see some wonderful football. I hope also to see talent scouts from our PSL clubs – they can identify some very exciting young players for the future,” said Mazibuko.

The tournament is divided into two groups, with the top two sides from each group going into the semi-finals.

South Africa is in the same group with Argentina, Nigeria and Ghana, while Group B consists of Brazil, Cameroon, Kenya and Japan.

Fixtures are as follows:

Fri 25 May 2012 – Athlone Stadium
18h00 SA v Argentina
20h30 Ghana v Nigeria 
 
Sat 26 May 2012 – Cape Town Stadium
14h00  Kenya v Japan
16h30  Brazil v Cameroon
 
Sun 27 May 2012 – Cape Town Stadium
14h00 SA v Ghana
16h30 Argentina v Nigeria
 
Mon 28 May 2012 – Athlone Stadium
18h00 Brazil v Kenya 
2030 Cameroon v Japan 
 
Tues 29 May 2012 – Cape Town Stadium
18h00 SA v Nigeria 
20h30 Argentina v Ghana 
 
Wednesday 30 May 2012 – Athlone Stadium
18h00 Brazil v Japan
20h30 Cameroon v Kenya 
 
Fri 01 June 2012 – Athlone Stadium
 
Semi-final
 
18h00 Winner A v Runner up B 
20h30 Winner B v Runner up A 
 
   
Sun 03 June 2012 – Cape Town Stadium
 
3rd Place Play-off
 
14h00 Loser 1st Semi-final v Loser 2nd Semi-final
 
Final
 
17h00 Winner 1st Semi-final v Winner 2nd Semi-final

Jay-Z To Preside Over “Annie” Remake With Willow Smith

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Jay-Z Empire Facebook Game

Jay-Z will lead the musical direction over a big budget update of the classic movie “Annie,” which will star Willow Smith.

Furthermore, Jay-Z is expected to write new songs for the movie, despite claiming to be taking a break a press conference promoting his “Made In America” festival.

Will Smith confirmed in an interview with Good Morning America that he would produce the movie, which will have an updated script as well. A director has not been named.

The original “Annie” movie hit theaters in 1982 and was set in a 1933 New York City.

The new version will be set in a present day New York.

Jay-Z sampled the soundtrack to “Annie” to yield one of his biggest records in “Hard Knock Life” in 1999. The song was produced by legendary beat maker Mark The 45 King and appeared on the mogul’s third album Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life.

“Annie” began in the 1920′s as an orphan, her dog and caregiver Daddy Warbucks. It became a highly successful play in the 1970′s.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Rocsi Is Dating Which Legendary Comedian?

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Rocsi

Rocsi Diaz sure does love her older men, doesn’t she? First, she was rumored to be homewrecking Lisa Raye’s marriage and seeing her then-husband, Michael Misick.

Then she was spotted on vacation with Tony Toni Tone lead singer, Raphael Saadiq.

And now the 106 & Park host is rumored to be dating legendary funny man, Eddie Murphy! The two were spotted grabbing coffee together in Los Angeles and from the looks of the pictures, they let go of each other’s hands as soon as they spotted the paparazzi. Check out the photo of them below.

Rocsi has already commented on the rumors and said that they are friends getting coffee together. Yeah right! It looks like Rocsi is trying to secure a sugar daddy, especially now that it’s been announced that she will be let go from her hosting gig at BET at the end of her contract.

 

Japanese artist serves up own genitals

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iol pic wbp dine

A Japanese artist cooked his own genitals and served them to five paying diners in Tokyo to cover the medical costs, in a bizarre act to raise awareness about sexual minorities.

Mao Sugiyama had his penis and testicles surgically removed in March and kept them frozen for two months before dishing them out – seasoned and braised – to customers at an event hall on May 13, according to postings on his Twitter account and local police.

Diners paid 20 000 yen ($250) for the plate with a portion of genitals. Pictures published on a website appeared to show the meal came complete with mushrooms and a parsley garnish.

The painter, who is reportedly 22, said on Twitter the organ had been removed by a physician and certified to be free of infections.

The meal was prepared under the supervision of a certified cook and diners were required to sign a waiver indemnifying Sugiyama and event organisers.

In May 18 tweets, the artist said steps were taken so the act met all relevant laws, including a ban on organ sales, processing of medical waste and even food sanitation requirements.

“I receive questions from some women and men… asking ‘Will there be a next time? Please host it again.’ But there is only one set of male organ,” he tweeted on May 16.

“Unfortunately, I have no plan for the next time.”

Sugiyama, who considers himself “asexual”, that is without gender, initially thought about eating the genitals himself, but decided to solicit paying customers to help pay his hospital bills for the surgery.

In an email to AFP, he confirmed the event had taken place and said it was organised to raise awareness about “sexual minorities, x-gender, asexual people”. He said he was readying to publish an official account of the day.

Police in Tokyo said they knew of the episode, but added that it had not broken the law as cannibalism was not illegal in Japan.

“We are aware of the case. There was nothing (criminal) to it. It does not violate any detailed rules. There is nothing to take action about,” an officer at Suginami police station told AFP. – Sapa-AFP


Three men bust for ‘muti’ murder

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girls muti murder_dv

By Mandilakhe Tshwete

A mother’s agonising search for her daughter has come to a tragic end.

On Thursday, Ntombizodwa Ntsabo, 28, got the devastating confirmation she has been dreading – that bones found a month ago are, in fact, the remains of her darling daughter.

Police have three suspects in custody and are investigating whether Asemahle Ntsabo, six, was murdered for muti after she vanished on January 21 this year.

The six-year-old was last seen close to her Mbekweni home while her mother was busy doing someone’s hair.

Then early last month, shocked residents made a grisly find – a skull and some bones scattered along a railway line about 600m from her home.

 

On Thursday, police confirmed that DNA tests prove the bones belong to the missing girl.

Three men have been arrested for her abduction and murder and have appeared in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court.

Songezo Mpitolo was the first to be arrested three weeks after she went missing.

Witnesses say he had been seen walking with Asemahle days before her disappearance.

While cops were investigating Mpitolo, they got a lead that Langa Mbijana was involved.

Shortly after picking Mbijana up, he allegedly confessed to police that he had killed the girl.

He even showed cops where he hid the body but the remains were not found.

Then, on Wednesday, Phumelele Nodede was arrested.

It is alleged that Asemahle was killed in Nodede’s shack which has since been destroyed.

The place where Asemahle is believed to have been killed is about 30 metres from her home.

All three men face charges of kidnapping and murder.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer November Filander says while they cannot speculate whether the girl was killed for muti, it will form part of their investigation.

The case has now been postponed to June 28 so a High Court or Regional Court date can be set.

“I can’t believe no one heard her scream because there are shacks all around,” says the victim’s distraught mom.

She says during her search for Asemahle that she often found herself outside the shack where she is alleged to have been killed.

“I had a weird feeling when I was close to that shack. I even went to knock even though I saw a big padlock, I still tried my luck,” she says.

 

“Every time I walked past there I just got a feeling that my child was either there or something happened while she was there.

 

“It’s difficult accepting her death, but since I have found her bones, I will bury her and try to move on.”

*This article was published in the Daily Voice

Cosatu backs City Press boycott

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IOL S’dumo Dlamini

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Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini on Friday endorsed the call to boycott City Press.

“We call upon workers in the country to stop buying City Press as of this Sunday,” he told delegates attending the National Union of Mineworkers’ conference at Ekhuruleni.

The SACP and then the ANC on Thursday called for the boycott, until the newspaper removed from its website a controversial painting depicting President Jacob Zuma by artist Brett Murray.

The ANC has also called for a march on Tuesday to the Goodman Gallery, which was displaying the picture until it was defaced.

“We believe that City Press is part of a group of individuals who seek to undermine our freedom,” Dlamini said. “There’s been concerted efforts by this group to undermine the black working class.”

Dlamini cited Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder’s comments on the land issue and opposition DA leader Helen Zille’s reference to Eastern Cape residents who relocated to Western Cape schools as “refugees”, as well as the DA’s march on Cosatu headquarters over the youth wage subsidy that the labour federation is opposed to the government introducing.

He also referred to FW de Klerk’s interview on CNN where the former SA state president said “there many good things about apartheid”.

De Klerk was sharply criticized for telling interviewer Christiane Amanpour that South Africans living in apartheid homelands were not disenfranchised as they had a vote.

“These are the dangers that need to be exposed,” Dlamini said.

He also criticized both Cosatu and NUM over the factionalism dividing their ranks, saying: “It gives confidence to our class enemy to undermine us, the way we conduct ourselves”.

NUM president Senzeni Zokwana on Friday told the more than 1 000 delegates that City Press journalists were not welcome and should not be given interviews.

The SA National Editors’ Forum has expressed alarm at the boycott call.

“While we recognise the right of the ANC to advise members on how to exercise their consumer decisions, the call for a boycott of a newspaper is tantamount to intimidation and abuse of power,” it said on Thursday night.

The ANC responded sharply on Friday, saying this position was “inconsistent and opportunistic”:

Naitonal spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the ANC saw the boycott as ”a sensible and responsible option to continue engaging the newspaper” after pleas that it remove the picture from its website went unheeded.

“We believe that our withholding of our buying power together with all South Africans who believe that the painting is offensive, in the instance of City Press, we should demonstrate our outrage at their refusal to remove the painting on their website.

“We do not view our call for boycott as the abuse of power and intimidation but as a legal and legitimate instrument to register our outrage at the insult directed at the President and remains exhibited on their website.

“We will do everything within the bounds of law to persuade the newspaper to accept the reality that we will not rest until this public display of arrogance is removed and a public apology made.

“Until then, we will continue to call on all South Africans including all formations of civil society (business, labour, churches, youth formations and women organisations) and democrats at large ho share our sentiment on this issue to boycott the newspaper, cancel their subscriptions as we have done already and not to advertise in the City Press.

“Having demonstrated in our argument the difference between freedom of expression and public display of an insult, we recommit ourself to the defense of the freedom of expression, the right of dignity, respect and privacy. We want to reiterate that, the right of artistic expression does not supersede the right to be treated with human dignity,” Mthembu said.

City Press Editor Ferial Haffajee was not immediately available for comment. – Political Bureau