We are now in the midst of a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We may be tired of this persistent enemy, but it is not yet tired of us. The threat to health and lives is evident as people become ill and some die.
So, we must do what we can, as individuals, as families and communities, as unions and employers, and as government, to limit the toll.
When the virus surges to this extent, the economy also faces challenges. Workers have to isolate or quarantine, people stop going out for recreation or shopping, tourism comes to a standstill, and workplaces have to spend more money to prevent infections.
It is incorrect to speak about a trade-off between lives and livelihoods. Rather, we need to invest our time, effort and resources to control the pandemic to see a payoff, in terms of both falling case numbers, reduced deaths and economic recovery.
The climb in new cases has been extraordinarily rapid and steep over the past few weeks. The number of daily new cases jumped from below 800 in early April to over 13,000 in the past week. In other words, it increased more than fifteen-fold from the last low point.
By now, we all know what we have to do to bring the rate of infection down, and we must act with great discipline to protect our people and our livelihoods.
Once again, we have to avoid social gatherings of all kinds, whether for family, friends, business or recreation. We must work from home if we can. We must wear masks when other people are around and stay one and half metre from other people whenever possible. Although we find ourselves in the middle of winter, we need to ensure good ventilation when indoors or in public transport, for instance by opening windows.
As South Africans, we have experienced pandemics before, most notably HIV/AIDS. We have managed to reduce new HIV infections by more than half since 2010. Our people know that we can control contagions, but it requires all of us to act together over time.
It is not a task only for the vulnerable or the healthcare system. It requires every South African to do their part, to accept that we cannot go back to pre-pandemic days but must rather build a new normal that is safe for us all.
We can win this battle, but it will take persistence and discipline.
As always with COVID-19, there are huge differences between different parts of the country. Right now, Gauteng is by far the hardest hit. This week the number of new cases exceeded the peak in both previous waves, and it has not started to decline yet. As a result, hospitals are reaching capacity, and healthcare workers are exhausted.
Gauteng looks small on the map. But it is home to one in five South Africans and two-fifths of our economy. As an economic hub many people travel to and from this province. We need to turn this around urgently, or lives and livelihoods will be seriously under threat.
We plan to provide vaccinations for the vast majority of adults in South Africa by the end of the year. It is crucial that, when you become eligible, you get the jab as soon as possible. Our priority in this phase is to vaccinate all five million people over the age of 60. This week, we also plan to start vaccinating half a million educators and others in the sector since their work requires social contact and is vital for our children, our economy and our future.
All of us need to work to ensure a fast and smooth rollout of the vaccine campaign. If our family members, friends, neighbours or employees need help, we should support them in registering and getting to vaccine sites. We will only be able to effectively contain this disease when we succeed in rolling out vaccinations on a large scale.
Our country has experienced many hardships in the past. However, we overcame them by understanding the challenges we faced, developing appropriate strategies, and implementing them together. As we have done before, we need to work as one to prevent infections and reduce the effects of this virus on us.
Rebaone Seele (22) will be back in Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Seele was arrested a few months ago after being accused of raping a woman (35) at a popular joint, Longstreet Lifestyle Pub in Ext 7 in Taung.
It is alleged that the victim was with her boyfriend at the pub when she decided to go to the bathroom. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, while the woman was in the bathroom, Seele allegedly accosted and raped her.
“Indeed, the police are investigating a rape case that was reported. The incident allegedly took place in the early hours of Sunday morning, where a woman was raped. It is alleged that the complainant was with her boyfriend at the pub when she decided to go to the bathroom and she was allegedly raped,” Myburgh said.
She further said Seele was subsequently arrested and appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “The suspect was granted a R2000 bail, but he has not paid it yet. The case was postponed to 21 June 2021 for further investigations.”
Taung Men against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Forum chairperson, Tebogo Mokgejane said they are concerned about GBV cases taking place in Taung. He said despite the efforts by various formations in Taung, including Taung Men against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Forum to condemn and call to an abrupt halt of all barbaric acts of sexual violence, such cases continue unabated.
“Women will not be pushed to live in fear because some men have turned themselves into sex pests, preying on young and older women. The forum will not get tired of condemning these acts, assist victims and make the necessary follow-ups on all cases until justice are serviced to all victims.
“May it be known that the forum will treat all cases equally without fear or favor, no matter who is involved. The forum will continue to give the victim the necessary support like we normally do to all other victims known to us,” said Mokgejane.
The details surrounding the missing North West University’s Digital Media Marketer and socialite, Sam Junior Mbatha continue to be sketchy. This comes after the police discovered a burnt car belonging to Mbatha in the field at Ikageng Section in Klipgat on Thursday.
North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the police also found a body of a man burnt beyond recognition in the boot of the car. Myburgh said the police were allegedly called to the scene of the crime at approximately 7am on Thursday and upon arrival, they found a sedan burnt to ashes.
“Currently, the police cannot precisely confirm what transpired and investigation into the matter continues. It is suspected that it could possibly be the owner of the vehicle, but the identity of the man cannot be confirmed as the body is burnt beyond recognition.
“The police have opened a case of murder and will conduct the DNA testing to assist in positively identifying the man. Anyone with information that can assist the police, are requested to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Thabo Sekgororoana on 082 520 1588,” she said.
Myburgh said alternatively, they can contact their local police station, or anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app on your smart phone.
Meanwhile, the Mbatha’s family spokesperson, Kgomotso Sepeng said: “On behalf of the Mbatha family, relatives, and close friends, we would like the public to note that Sam’s car was found burnt on Thursday morning.
“The police, family, and close friends have not declared the identity of the victim who was burnt in the car. The family has not issued any statement to the public prior to this one as they respect the laws and procedures of the investigation.”
Sepeng added that the family humbly requests everyone who is publishing speculations on any publishing platforms including social media, to take down such posts with immediate effect and refrain from publishing further speculations in order to allow the police to conduct its investigations.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Mmoloki Cwaile
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mmoloki Cwaile is under fire after being accused of misconduct after he allegedly approved an ‘irregular’ contract worth R1, 476,321.74.
This comes after the department appointed a private company, Kone Solutions (PTY) LTD to conduct recruitment process on its behalf. Now, a ‘whistleblower’ within the department who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal said, the contract was irregular and he was ignored even though he tried to warn Cwaile about the imminent danger of approving it.
“There are upheavals and misappropriations taking place at this department. However, when we highlight that, we are regarded as disruptive and receive hostile treatment. The department appointed Kone Solutions (PTY) LTD to conduct recruitment process for 35 vacant and funded positions with the department.
“This was approved by Cwaile after raising concern regarding the snail pace at which the department is performing regarding the filling of those positions. The appointed company was expected to advertise vacant and funded positions, which include full-service handling, advertise vacant positions, response handling from screening to placement,” he said.
Our source added: “Even though the company is engaged in a transversal contract with the department, seeking approval for deviation from Provincial Treasury could be irregular because full services response handling screening and placement is not part of the contract.”
However, Cwaile refuted the allegations and described them as absurd. He also said even though Kone Solutions (PTY) LTD was not appointed by him, he decided to bring the contract to a grinding halt.
“This is just a lame attempt from my detractors who want to discredit me because I have uncovered malfeasance at the department. I can tell you now, most employees at the department were hired on nepotism basis.
“In most cases, you will find that all employees at the department are related. The senior managers call their friends, colleagues, and relatives to fill the vacancies regardless of their knowledge, skill, and experience,” Cwaile said.
He further said Kone Solutions (PTY) LTD contract was not irregular because there was an allocation of budget and all the time, the company has been doing business with the department including the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) and national government. Cwaile added that the company had engaged in a transversal contract and it has been appointed by the National Treasury.
“All government departments in the province advertise their tenders through this company. All tenders advertised by departments in the province are written Kone Solutions (PTY) LTD at the bottom. So, there is no single department that advertises posts on its own because that job is done by this company.
“Kone Solutions (PTY) LTD was appointed to advertise, but in terms of their contract, they can shortlist. However, after performing these duties, they will hand over that work to government departments to conduct interviews,” said Cwaile.
He said the reason why they wanted to delegate the recruitment process to Kone Solutions (PTY) LTD is because there is a scenario where some of employees who process vacant posts from the Human Resources Management, only serve themselves.
“Sometimes these employees withhold other requirements when advertising to the public to ensure that these posts favour them. But the important part about appointing Kone Solutions (PTY) LTD was that Directors and Head of Department (HOD) cannot go and sit in a panel of level 5, while there are assistant directors.
“Firstly, when you look at the Human Settlements Department has a shortage of staff. However, we will see all senior managers fighting to be in the panel of level 5, while they were supposed to be doing something fruitful with their time,” he said.
Cwaile said despite inheritance of some challenges from the former homeland of the Bophuthatswana government, most of the personnel who were supposed to process these vacant posts are unqualified and do not even have matric certificates,” he said.
Cwaile said his department has over 200 vacant posts with a budget of R600 million.
Reading from what comrade President Oliver Tambo had to say about the late Zambia President, Ntate Kenneth Kaunda, I am convinced that indeed, he was a true Pan Africanist, a committed patriot and a selfless leader of our continent.
On 16 December 1990, at the ANC rally that was held at Soccer City in Johannesburg, Ntate President Oliver Tambo said: “I came on Thursday, having spent a whole week with the world’s greatest man, Kenneth David Kaunda in Zambia. I ought to let you know that hidden somewhere in the chest of that man, lies a great lover of humanity.
“He also sent a team of six of his top men to accompany the flight he offered to bring us home. Three of them are present in this gathering. We are more than grateful to him.”
The former President, Thabo Mbeki in his tribute to Ntate Kenneth Kaunda, has eloquently posited that this astute leader of the mother continent housed and supported the ANC headquarters for 20 years in his country, Zambia under his presidency.
Indeed, ingrained in his heart was a love for the people of Africa as a whole, Ntate Kaunda was a leader whose brilliant mind was never on recess. It is vividly clear that this fallen hero and a patriot of note had unflinching love for the ANC and the liberation of our continent from the yoke of colonialism.
Let I befittingly borrow the words of the former President and astute Vietnamese communist leader, comrade Ho Chi Minh to describe Ntate Kenneth Kaunda.
“I have had only one aim in life; to struggle for the good of the country and the well-being of my people. It is for this reason that I have had to hide in the mountains and crouch in prison. Whatever the moment, whatever the place, I have had a single aim, the interest of the nation, the good of the people.
“About personal matters-all my life, I have served the fatherland, the revolution, and the people with all my heart and strength. If I should now depart from this world, I would have nothing to regret, except not being able to serve longer and more.”
Accordingly, his departure serves as an end of an era of the generation of African leaders who were prepared to die in defense of the mother continent and their natural resources. Indeed, Dr Kaunda dedicated his entire life to the service of humanity.
Therefore, in his honor, let us preserve the rich history of the ANC. Let us defend and advance its unity, renewal, and rebuilding program.Let us resuscitate Pan-Africanism and advance Africa’s agenda 2063, as well as strengthening African Union and its structures in pursuance of transformation and development of the continent.
This fallen Pan Africanist would definitely be welcomed by his generation, which formed Organization of African Unity OAU.
He will have to present a comprehensive report to comrade Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah, SekuToure, General Gamal Abdul Nasser, and many other departed heroes and heroines on the state of the continent and its Pan-Africanist agenda.
As an honest leader, he would give a true account of the state of African Union, which is the successor organization of OAU and how the current generation of African leaders have allowed Africa’s resources to be used to develop Western countries, while many of our fellow brothers and sisters in the continent are living in abject poverty, harrowing unemployment and inequality as well as underdevelopment.
I am quite certain that in his report, he would include the recent developments and anarchy that occurred at the Pan-Africanist Parliament.
Rest in peace Ntate Kenneth Kaunda, a leader par excellence and a Pan-Africanist of note.
Note: Orapeleng Vanilla Matshediso is a former Secretary-General and the President of the Students Representative Council (SRC) at North West University. He is also the former President of Golden Key International Honour Society at NWU and a member of the ANC at Dr Ruth Mompati Region in North West. He writes in his personal capacity as a social activist and his views do not necessarily represent Taung DailyNews or its associates.
Residents of Mokgareng village, near Taung are divided in who should lead them as the new ward councillor in the next Local Government elections on 27 October 2021. This comes after the ANC in ward 7, elected Mmoloki Mojaki as its candidate.
However, this sparked the debate after some residents accused Mojaki of being ill-disciplined and alleged that he lacks the veracity and empathy to lead. They also accused him of assaulting the village chief, Kgosi Victor Ntokwe back in 2019.
According to Ntokwe, Mojaki and some of community members were ‘rebellious’ and against developments in the area.
“I was shocked to hear that Mojaki is at the forefront of becoming our councillor. I call on ANC to elect leaders who have the ability to lead. All leaders of the party should be elected through the eye of a needle.
“Unfortunately, Mojaki does not have all these capabilities. He once assaulted me after they were against a multi-million project at Mokgareng High School. I was so dejected to be assaulted by one of our own. He is also self-centred and we do not need people like him,” said Ntokwe.
ANC spokesperson in ward 7, Vela Ntuli was reluctant to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Mojaki answered our call, but said: ‘Ok, realeboga’ before hanging up…..after realising that he was speaking to a journalist.
He also failed to respond to our text messages and his phone constantly rang unanswered.
ANC Deputy Secretary-General, Jessie Duarte said in a statement: “The preferred candidates still have to be vetted and screened by the Provincial List Committee and approved by the extended PEC and extended NEC.
So, the final decisions will be made by a community vote, after community meetings in all VDs where the majority of voters voted for the ANC. We need to respect people’s voice, so that we can honestly say that our candidates are the people’s choice.”
Duarte said the deadline for nomination of candidates by BGMs has been communicated by Electoral Committee, to be followed by community meetings and then the community vote.
The writer at www.blogs.myleader.in, Peter Drucker said a political leader should be a public servant who works for the betterment of society. Drucker further said leader is elected by the members of the society by casting votes.
“A political leader requires ‘statesmanship’ as opposed to just being a ‘politician’ – this means having the integrity and willingness to stand up for what is right, even if it means resigning a position in government or losing an election.” he said.
Higher Education Transformation Network Deputy Executive Director, Orapeleng Matshediso shared the same sentiments. Matshediso said, as the ANC starts with the elections of branch, regional and provincial leadership at conferences, members must elect selfless and rooted leaders who adhere to the ANC membership declaration and understand the aspirations and the plights of the masses.
“History bestows upon us members and leaders of the ANC to learn and use the leadership traits of the late Walter Sisulu, the ANC constitution, which is through the eye of a needle method.
“To nominate candidates for local government elections and other leadership positions at various level of the organisation, remember, the renewal, rebuilding and unity of the ANC cannot be postponed any longer,” said Matshediso.
He further said the society is becoming impatient with the ANC, therefore, they need to heed to its clarion call of being led by the renewed and united ANC.
Matshediso added that it is quite evident people like Sisulu has never acted in the manner that tarnished the image and integrity of the ANC, he was a disciplined leader and a member in good standing until his last breath.
Picture: Former Zambia president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda/EWN
By OBAKENG MAJE
Heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the death of the founding president of Zambia, Dr Kenneth Kaunda. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described Kaunda (97) as an unwavering champion of South Africa’s own liberation.
Ramaphosa said in remembrance of Kaunda who succumbed to pneumonia in hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, on Thursday, South Africa has declared a period of mourning for 10 days with immediate effect.
“Flags will be flown at half-mast at all flag stations. We bow our heads in grief at the passing of a beloved and rightfully revered father of African independence and unity. We are united in our sadness with the Kaunda family and the government and people of the Republic of Zambia.
“We are united in our sadness with the people of our region and continent, to whom Kenneth Kaunda’s leadership was a source of inspiration and resilience. Kaunda dedicated his 97 long years to the liberation and service of the people of Zambia,” he said.
He said Kaunda devoted himself and the Zambian people to supporting liberation movements around the region in their quest for independence and freedom. Ramaphosa further said Kaunda steadfast against the intimidation of the apartheid state and offered Lusaka as the headquarters of the African National Congress (ANC) in exile.
“Under his leadership, Zambia provided refuge, care and support to liberation fighters who had been forced to flee the countries of their birth. He stood alongside the people of South Africa at the time of our greatest need and was unwavering in his desire for the achievement of our freedom.
“It was in honour of this remarkable contribution that the South African government bestowed on Kaunda the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in 2002. He was a pioneering champion of a decolonised, united and prosperous Africa. He represented his country and continent with distinction on global platforms,” said Ramaphosa.
He further said today, they recommit themselves to building the Africa of KK’s vision – an Africa of peace, justice, prosperity and innovation. Ramaphosa added that Kaunda was at their side to comfort them when they lost their leaders.
“We remember his moving tribute as we laid Madiba to rest in Qunu. Today, we place ourselves alongside Kenneth Kaunda’s family and the Zambian nation as they mourn this deep loss.
“As the South African nation, we will never be able to repay the debt of gratitude that we owe to President Kaunda. Nor will we ever forget that it was with the help of this extraordinary leader’s care and solidarity that our freedom and our democracy was won,” he said.
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West also shared the same sentiments. SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “Kaunda was a revolutionary intellectual, a friend of the South African struggle for liberation and a freedom fighter who sacrificed the economic prosperity of his country when he gave refuge and supported the ANC in exile.
“He belonged to a cohort of visionary founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) that had valued the freedoms of all Africans and strove for the unity of its people. The people of South Africa will forever be indebted to Kaunda for the role he had played and for the invaluable lessons in servant leadership, humility and selfless service he had taught throughout his life.”
Sebegoe said Kaunda was a father, a role model and a friend. He said Kaunda was also a teacher and a repository of great wisdom and insight.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen said Zambia and Africa has lost one its most influential and respected leaders. Steenhuisen said Kaunda spent his long life in the dedicated service of his country, first as liberator and then as leader.
“He was the last of a generation that spearheaded the fight for a post-colonial Africa in the mid to late 20th century, showing principled solidarity with his Southern African neighbours in their own struggles.
“Later in life, his campaigning for HIV testing and treatment did much to counter the stigma of the virus and encourage people to know their status and seek treatment. Kaunda leaves behind a significant legacy and an important contribution to the freedom of Zambians. May he rest in peace, and may the people of Zambia find comfort in their time of grieving,” he said.
TEN young farmers set to receive ten bulls from the North West Agriculture and Rural Development department as part of June Month commemoration. North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono said they will donate ten bulls to ten young farmers across the province as part of the 2021 Youth Month Commemoration.
“Ten young farmers who have proven commitment and perseverance to their livestock business will receive these bulls in order to further improve their livestock. The department has placed livestock improvement as part of its priority programmes.
“We have also taken note that amongst others, beef cattle production is a vehicle that has the potential to contribute to the development of the province’s populace by enhancing food security, job creation, reducing poverty and ultimately improving the quality of life of the communities in a sustainable manner,” she said.
Mohono said according to national livestock statistics, the province has 1 588 147 cattle including both beef and dairy (13% of national herd). She also made a plea to young people in the province to embrace and love agriculture.
“The department will identify young people who are passionate to give these bulls to because we need results. We need to see livestock improve in the province and open opportunities for better markets.
“The sector had opportunities and young people needed to tap on them. It was imperative for the department to commemorate June Month in order to remember the unwavering commitment of the 1976 Youth,” said Mohono.
She further said the black youth of decades ago fought against inequality. Mohono added that today’s young people face more than just inequality and they are overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, self-hate, and depression that do not discriminate against race, gender, sexuality, or religion.
“Where our predecessors once fought for the security of the future, we battle for relevance. We find ourselves caught up in a cycle of constantly having to prove something, while trying to figure out who we really are in a fast-changing world,” she said.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Botlhale Tshabalala who is a young farmer based in Driehoek farm in Ngaka Modiri Molema district shared the same sentiments. Tshabalala said he has over the years moved from strength to strength in his crop production farming.
“I have grown abundantly in my eight-year stint in business and I am adamant that greater things are on the way. From only planting 15 hectares in 2013, now I am leasing land currently harvesting on the planted 165 hectares.
“So, I am grateful for the crop inputs I received from the department which made it possible for me to reach my targets of planting 30 hectares of white beans, 30 hectares of maize and 105 hectares of sunflower,” he said
Tshabalala said he is also confident about his progress and is committed to taking in young people to mentor. He also organized the annual Harvest Day celebration, which the department was part of.
Former JB Marks Local Municipality mayor, Kgotso Khumalo
By OBAKENG MAJE
A fraud and theft case against the controversial former JB Marks Local Municipality mayor, Kgotso Khumalo and the other two employees have been postponed to 7 July 2021 by the North West High Court sitting in Venterdorp on Thursday.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the case was postponed to give both parties more time to prepare for a pre-trial conference.
“The state is expected to put on record its readiness to proceed with the trial and also highlight issues that are in dispute with the defence representatives. Khumalo together with Cecil Henry and Mohau Shuping, are facing eight charges of theft and fraud from the municipality funds.
“It is alleged that the North West University and the Programme for Community Development paid about R5 million into a trust account of an attorney for the use of specific projects by the municipality,” Mamothame said.
He further said the attorney was given instructions to effect various payments, which includes a R208 000 mayoral committee contribution towards the funeral of the former North West MEC for Agriculture, Duma Ndleleni, who passed away on 23 November 2018.
According to Mamothame, however, it was discovered that R200 000 was paid directly into the account of one of the accused.
“From this amount, R64 218 was paid to an institution where Khumalo’s relative was a student. It is alleged that false invoices were generated to effect more fictitious payments too.
“Furthermore, Khumalo allegedly instructed the attorney to make payment to an NGO which did not exist. The three are still out on warning and are prohibited from contacting state witnesses,” he said.
Khumalo resigned as a mayor as per the ANC National Executive Committee instruction that all its members who are accused of criminal activities or serious crimes to step aside.
Picture: North West University Professor, Tumi Mmusinyane
By TUMI MMUSINYANE
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 students marched for a better inclusive quality education without Afrikaans. However, the statistics show that the burden of unemployment is also concentrated amongst the youth as they account for 59, 5% (63%) of the total number of unemployed persons.
The unemployment rate among the youth is high irrespective of education level. The graduate unemployment rate was 40, 3% for those aged 15–24 and 15, 5% among those aged 25–34 years, while the rate among adults (aged 35–64 years) was 5, 4%.
You being employed by the Department of Labour, you should consider yourself to be privileged that you are not forming part of those unemployment statistics and you should not take it for granted that you are employed.
From my experience as some of you are inspectors, I have represented clients at the CCMA, Bargaining Councils and I have witnessed how a lot of our people are being oppressed at their workplaces and have referred many to Labour Department. However, your brothers and sisters instead of helping the oppressed took bribes from employers and made a lot of people suffer.
I just want to beg you not to follow the same and do the job that you are being paid for. Just have a conscience and ask how many people/families are going to suffer, sleep hungry by not doing your job, and accepting bribes from employers.
All of this is for the love of money, which is the root of all evil. At your age, (young) you still have an opportunity to be human and do the job that you are being paid already, contribute to a humane society.
Lately, nothing shocks anyone except our President and his Ministers when they talk to the media about youth. I am afraid to be the bearer of bad news that, ‘It’s because we have allowed them to be the charters of our destiny.”
Steve Biko said: “Black Consciousness is an attitude of the mind and a way of life, the most positive call to emanate from the black world for a long time. The greatest weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the minds of those whom they oppress.”
Post-apartheid, are you being oppressed by your own leaders, into believing that they are doing their best to give you opportunities? Are you content that they are doing their best to give you those opportunities?
Then why are you still suffering? Your minds are soft like a sponge and you are used to be played at by those in position of authority. It may be those who have money, or in a position of power.
Because you want to belong, you are prepared to take away your wisdom, suppress your conscience, knowledge, and all the hard work just to please those in the position of authority. It may be those who have money, position of power, such as managers, your parents, church/cultural leaders, sangomas, traditional healers, politicians and rich people.
We have seen how even educated people are being used by powerful people to do all the wrong things and they know, but they sold their souls to the devil because of the desire to belong, being noticed, as soon as you get up and close to people in power.
Do not say I did not warn you, “You are next.” Selling our souls to people that have no interests of this country or yours in their cold hearts. We have failed Biko very badly, and continue to listen to every lie year in year out.
You have all been captured and you are not aware, and you will fight anyone who tries to enlighten you. I prefer telling the truth, even when it means that I will be ostracized for it. I made peace with it and live in harmony that I have not deceived anyone, served my role without fear, favour, and or prejudice, and sleeps peacefully.
Because I have realized how being used can be haunting, so whatever I will be saying today, it’s nothing but the truth. All you have to do is to open your mind to internalise it and decide to do something about your life or nothing because you are used to being exploited and they know you cannot do anything.
My message to you today is, I need you to charter your own way, using your own rules, do what you want because no one owns you or you should not be under anyone’s leash and that scares a whole lot of people when they do not know where you stand.
They devise rules, traps to catch, while afraid of you. It is exactly what they have done to you, you are being owned, being told what you can reach and not reach, do and not do, say and not say. Meaning, you can never stand for what is right because they own your mind a long time ago.
Your education system teaches you to be nothing but an ordinary employee, how to draft your CVs and lacks content that empowers you to be your own boss, establish, manufacture and own means of production. It’s not going to change because you go to universities where they offer irrelevant/outdated and expensive qualifications, only well on paper.
When the rest of the world moves to technology, robotics and etc, ours is still trapped in the old way. Is this the life that you are living and wish to be even today, 26 years later?
I am not a politician, I do not speak like them and I wish not to be one. I am just a citizen who lives amongst politicians, religious people, atheists, culturalism, economist, scientists, liars, beggars, corrupters, and who look upon us to elevate them to the highest tables for a proper view of their food and who they loot with.
Often politicians like to say, leave politics to us politicians, yet they forget who put them up there? We the voters, but know politics will never leave you alone. They will follow you to the dungeon and even if you do not vote, you are nevertheless affected because Stalin once said: “People who cast votes decide nothing, but people who count the votes decide everything.”
I depict SA by referring it to Kwei Armah in his book: “Beautiful ones are not yet born”, where he deals with a state of shock, disappointment in how in Africa post-independence has left them to suffer in the hands of the big corrupt people that are protected by a net, while the same net allows for small ones to fall down and be caught by big ones without any remorse/conscience or consequences.
You follow a religion because that’s what your parents have introduced you to. Go to church every day but with no or little understanding of your purpose, religion teaches you to hate, scares you that you will go to hell, but what if you are already in hell?
Also, that you are told not to celebrate Ancestors Day. Why is everything that your see or hear has to be through someone else’s view? Do you even know that there is a bible out there called The “Cepher”, which has all those deleted scriptures when they amended the bible and introduced the New Testament in order to control you better?
I implore you to follow a spiritual law rather than religion, because religion was designed to help you connect with spirituality but not anymore. Spirituality requires you to be in harmony and in touch with the world that you live in and everything in it.
Spiritual messages and light can be carried by anyone you least expect but serves your spiritual journey as it teaches the wisdom to know when you are being taken for granted, how you relate with dissidents, and how to find peace above all. Seek spiritual guidance by meditating, spending some time alone quietly so, praying directly to God and guidance from your ancestors because you are a spiritual being with the ability to connect directly.
You hear news about economy and say that it does not concern you, yet worry when prices go up. You see in this world to survive, you need knowledge of politics, eco-social and cultural factors because all these come to play before you.
Ignore them at your own peril and be prepared to suffer.
When serious issues are discussed, it becomes a joke to all of you, but when things get wrong, you want answers. Answers from who when you spend most of your youth joking?
You agree to everything that comes.
The world requires knowledgeable people, where do you fall? Things not taught at school or being prepared for. If you want to change, be the change that you want to see in your world, do not expect to get it from anyone. They do not serve your interests and they will never do.
Even excuses are not going to help you, so charter your own path, and do it right now.
You are the future of this country and nothing stops you from being managers, CEOs, Drs, and lawyers, owners of things and not being made lapdogs and respecting the traditions that continue to oppress you more. What stops you from being the movers and shakers in your communities?
You let people in authority lie and continue to sell you the lie, while knowing to be. Please, when you become someone in power, may you do things differently from what is happening right now? Be the change and not be swallowed by leaders, power, and money like your brothers and sisters.
In fact, the greatest survival skills that you need out there is to be able to stand on your own against all odds. We know the majority of people are trying to make more money so that problems of this country do not apply to them and careless about social injustices taking place in front of them.
Sad thing for female youth is that those in power, are eager to sleep with you. In fact, the youth of this country is a bed for those in position of power to sleep in it, ibile ba sa kgathale (they care less).
It’s a common knowledge that some positions in government require female youth to sleep with those in power to be employed or to pay for employment with money they do not even have. If you refuse to pay or be in that bed, be prepared not to have everything this life offers because you are beating the hands that feeds or could feed you, however, I know not many are prepared to starve like that.
Chris Hani had this to say: “What I fear is that the liberators emerge as elitists, who drive around in Mercedes-Benzes and use the resources of this country… to live in palaces and to gather riches,”
Was he not being prophetic when you look at your own country right now? We are riddled with collapsing state institutions like ESKOM, DENEL, SABC, SAA, and PRASA. All being bailed out every year without consequential management.
Corruption is now endemic. It is a free-for-all, especially among members of the ruling elite who, famously, ‘did not join the struggle to be poor.’ Why are you just quiet when your future is being destroyed?
We are not going to change anything by keeping the status quo. You being handed t-shirts, food parcels and waiting on the government to give you everything for free. You need to be prepared to take what’s rightfully belongs to you as a youth by doing everything right.
Tapping into your Mind
I wish to see our youth taking charge of everything, challenging every norm, customs that are there. Setswana sa re “le ojwa le sale metsi”. I wish to see our youth being more informed and solve our problems using knowledge and insights and not violence.
I wish to see our youth not being easily bought with expensive whiskeys, girls being used as sex pawns for those in power and you guys being used as mere ice boys when your grandparents are in town, with their black SUVs, suits, blue lights and sending you around and running like headless chickens.
My dream for the youth of this country is, the youth that is not afraid to stand for the truth, speak for the truth, and fight for the truth.
Why as the youth of this country have you allowed yourselves to be captured and conditioned to move to adulthood under the same conditions and at a snail pace? Is it what Solomon Mahlangu fought for?
He was not afraid to lose his life so that his blood shall nourish the tree that shall bear the fruits of freedom. Amongst the others, he acquired his knowledge from reading-one of the books titled: the “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” by Paulo Freire’s, which in essence attempt to help the oppressed fight back to regain their lost humanity and achieve full humanization by starting with acquiring knowledge about the concept of humanization itself.
Now today, the only thing that matters to the youth at this time of the year is to wear their school uniforms and go to taverns- even at their workplaces to celebrate, but there is nothing tangible that changes beyond that uniform.
No quest to obtain knowledge or you believe knowledge is only about academic books and which in fact is not.
Villages, cities and towns where you come from, you have sewerages running in the streets, herein Taung, we have Taung Dam that never runs dry, but we have villages that go for months without water. Our province is known as a pothole province, famous for failure to provide basic services, while the country has electricity problems.
Your government has brought in foreign (Cuban) doctors and engineers and tells you that they are best to train you, do work here for your government because SA does not have such skills. What have they done to their country, since they took power 26 years ago?
Imagine and NGO (Gift of the Givers) solving a water shortage at a public hospital (Raheem Moosa), and it is reported that the government have had a serious water problems at the said hospital without a solution. Our government would rather outsource a tender for water trucks to supply water at a huge public purse.
We have people seating on their minds and being paid to do that. All is fine with you?
In our mind, everything is just fine, you will see that check-in and photoshoot is better at Taung Dam, and that is what your mind tells you, and does not see any injustices going on before your own eyes.
We prefer American and Eurocentric movies and music than our own. We hate our own languages so much that even we talk to our toddlers in English at home and be proud to say, they do not know our mother tongue- African languages.
We shun our own, but embrace everything we do not know. For anyone who becomes vocal about the injustices and lack of service delivery, it is a common practice that they are being bought (money, material) for silence or to abandon the social justice cause- you know them, they are in your communities.
We expect developments to be brought to our villages and towns and not be part of them except as runners, employees, and consumers and all of this is normal to the black majority and its leadership. The mind is not thinking and that is exactly what they want, not to think beyond.
This is what Biko warned us about that, if we do not get careful, they will take our minds and use it on our behalf. We will be as dead men walking.
We go to schools just to be perfect employees, just to pass and not question the system used to teach us. We go to churches to be exploited in the name of God because we cannot pray for ourselves. We are so used to others doing things for us, and this is what we excel in SA, folding hands. How do you expect to be helped when you have not begun a journey of self-discovery to help yourself?
In fact, why do we even allow Mandarin/Swahili in our schools when we have not even developed our own languages to be languages of business? When are we going to stop pleasing others, emancipate ourselves, and prioritise our identity?
Do you know that our courts have adopted English as the medium of instruction? At the same time, we now have universities adopting our languages as official languages and even translating and interpreting modules into our own languages? Only English and Afrikaans are being developed and the black majority is just folding their arms.
Who is going to teach your children and grandchildren accounting, engineering in African languages? When you at the back of your mind saying, but we have not been taught this in African languages. It begins with you, your attitude towards your identity and you are failing already to think of the possibility of it being a reality.
Do you know one of the greatest writers of Setswana, Ntate Solomon Thekisho Plaatjie who was the first to write in his own mother tongue did not go far with school, but managed to translate one of William Shakespeare’s books, Comedy of Errors into Setswana and called it Diphoshophoso?
His jurisprudence is what we rely upon today to position the development of Setswana equally to English and Afrikaans.
Do you know we have people of other races becoming expects in African studies, indigenous knowledge systems and some are even customary law experts (Whites). If we are allowed into their (Eurocentric) systems, we do our best to close the doors for (on) our own people and mimic what has been done and try to excel in entrenching western/colonial standards.
Imagine being told that you cannot wear your traditional clothes inside a shopping mall by a black manager? Wearing your traditional clothes only during weddings but you do not want to be told that you have been captured?
This is because you being the custodians of this entire rich heritage have no interests at all in preserving your heritage. You see no value in it. You see nothing wrong that all the books that you have studied or used from Grade 1 to college or university has all been written by other races for you.
We have allowed ourselves to be the marketers of foreign products and fail to create our own economy because we do not like one another to succeed. Blacks are the greatest consumers of everything that they do not produce. Knowledge must be at the forefront of it. It is only through knowledge that I was able to tell an old person “O bua maaka” and not being punished for it. You know why, because knowledge has no boundaries, no age, and no experience.
Youth know a lot of things that people who lead you know nothing about. Only if you invest more in knowledge, you will be able to achieve what Biko wished to have witnessed, which is Black Consciousness.
It is the attitude of mind and he will be grateful to know that, you use knowledge to cause revolution, freedom, emancipation from mental enslavement, development, sustainability, peace, harmony, and independence.
It is through knowledge that you will begin to understand the system where you stay, what you get, who leads you, how you conduct business, how you relate with people, and over and above, how you survive. Because in the end, it is not going to be about the cars you drove, where you live, how much money you have made, but what impact you have made.
No matter how many material possessions you may have, they are going to vanish.
But with knowledge, you are able to know bad and good and still do good by questioning the injustices when you see it happening to someone else.
We have detached ourselves from knowledge hence they take advantage of us. We are not united, that is why they thrive in dividing and ruling us. They also use your ignorance to flourish. They are so good that youth has become their runner for illegal activities, girls are sex pawn, boys are known as ice boys, or when they need to rent a crowd, they know youth is their choice.
The youth know nothing, follow blindly, want parties, and that’s what they know that you are good at.
Professor Tumi Modisenyane is an Associate Professor at the North West University (Mahikeng campus). Modisenyane writes in his personal capacity and views raised in this article do not necessarily represent Taung DailyNews and its associates.
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