Racism in SA

It is somewhat ironic to think that racism still exists in a continent like Africa.

Jimmy Manyi, government spokesperson and former Director General of Labor, in March 2010 on KykNet's Robinson Regstreeks show, made a comment about "coloured people". He said that colored people should spread out to other parts of the country, instead of concentrating in the Western Cape. He is now being attacked by on this comment made a year ago because of the debates surrounding Employment Equity Act (EEA), which may cause unemployment among millions of blacks if passed into law.

It is indeed interesting that Jimmy Manyi's comment, which in my opinion my have well been a genuine concern and advise to many, has been thrown out of proportion. I researched into the much debated EAA Act and it seems similar to the Affirmative Action passed in the US, which protects minority groups. I therefore, find it difficult to believe that millions of blacks would be unemployed if this Act is passed into law! It doesn't come as a surprise that Manyi is in the news again, many say he is associated with many controversies and shouldn't be the government's spokesperson.

Since, his racist comment, Manyi has apologised and so has the ANC party, of which he is a member.

Nelson Mandela recovering

Nelson Mandela, the first President of South Africa (1994-1999) has recently been reported to have major health issues. He was rushed to the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg last Wednesday and was diagnosed with a respiratory infection. Nonetheless at 92, Nelson Mandela is quite healthy and there have been reports from the President, Jacob Zuma and one of Mandela's daughters, Zindzi Mandela-Hlongwane that the former president is under strict medical supervision. President Zuma, last week addressed Mandela's health issues in his State of Nation address and the fact that South Africans had raised concerns about the inadequate of information given to the public concerning Mandela's health, he said that people should allow Mandela to recover peacefully, age in dignity and that there was no cause for panic. However, concerned citizens came together to pray for their former president and to light candles of hope in his honor.

I wish President Mandela a speedy recovery!

Nelson Mandela rose to fame when he confidently expressed his anti-apartheid views of racial segregation in South Africa in the early 1950s. He was arrested on several occasions and was sent to Robben Island, where he spent 18 years in prison. He was a target for oppression and many human right abuses. In total he spent 27 years in prison, but still didn't give up till he won the presidency in the country's first multi-racial elections in 1994. Before and during his presidency he won the respect and admiration of many both at home and abroad, because of he promoted the reconciliation of both black and white citizens. Recently, Mandela has been a supporter of AIDs awareness (his son died of the disease in 2005 at age 54). He has also been a supporter for the respect for human rights.

State of the Nation Speech

Today Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa delivered the State of the Nation Address at the Joint sitting of parliament in Cape Town.
He talked about the countries pride in its 17 years of freedom and the independence of the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government and his aspirations to continue to build the country. He also briefed the nation and all international persons present on the improvements the country has made in education, electricity, crime control and measures put in place to control its budget in the preceding years. However, he states that the problem of poverty and unemployment still persist in the country, despite the measures put in place to control them. Furthermore, he touched on the issues going on in Egypt and encouraged the parties involved to continue to search for solutions, so that peace will prevail.
Many South Africans shared the view that his speech was generally a good one, however, his administration had to make more policies to solve the issues of crime and poverty.

Pictures of the State of the Nation Speech in South Africa

Quick Facts

• Where is South Africa found?

South Africa is located in the South of Africa (as its name suggests). It is surrounded by Namibia (north-west), Botswana and Zimbabwe (north), Mozambique and Swaziland (northeast).

• Chief of state: Jacob Zuma (since May, 2009)
• Curreny: Rand
• It is three times the size of California 
• Population: 50,100,000 (UN 2009 est)
• Worlds 4th largest diamond producer

Introduction

Hi everyone!
Thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to keeping you informed about South Africa. Feel free to post and comment on my blog. I hope we have fun learning together!