INSIDE:
EFF SOEK TROLLIP SE KOP [Page 4]
ZUMA’S JUDGMENT DAY [Page 2]
Nova Mentis
10de Uitgawe 19 Maart 2018
GRATIS
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US VERDEDIG NOU TAALBELEID IN KONSTITUSIONELE HOF
D
Albert Brand
ie Universiteit Stellenbosch verdedig tans die implementering van hulle taalbeleid in die Konstitusionele Hof teen Gelyke Kanse, ‘n weerstandgroep wat gestig is om die Universiteit te oorreed om Afrikaans te behou as ‘n gelyke taal van onderrig. Die US het op 22 Junie 2016 hulle nuwe taalbeleid bekendgestel, nadat dit deur die Raad en Senaat goedgekeur is. Dié bekendstelling het gevolg op die US se erkenning in die Wes-Kaapse afdeling van die hooggeregshof dat hulle van die taalbeleid wat toe in werking was, afgewyk het in 268 modules. Te midde van verskeie klagtes van studente en openbare kritiek, onder andere dat die US met hul nuwe taalbeleid op legitieme wyse ‘n resultaat van verengelsing wou bereik wat in 2016 deur afwyking van die taalbeleid bereik is, is die nuwe beleid in Februarie, 2017 geïmplementeer. Die verwikkelinge in 2016 het
Gelyke Kanse genoop om die nuwe (2016) taalbeleid in die Hooggeregshof uit te daag met die oog daarop dat die US hulle nuwe taalbeleid ter syde moes stel. Volgens Danie Rossouw, prokureur vir Gelyke Kanse, was hulle saak gegrond op artikel 29(2) van die Grondwet, wat die reg verskans om in die taal van eie keuse onderrig te word waar dit prakties moontlik is. Dié aansoek is egter op 25 Oktober 2016 deur die hof van die hand gewys. In sy uitspraak, meen Regter Daniel Dlodlo dat die nuwe taalbeleid nie tot die vermindering in Afrikaanse aanbod by die US lei nie, en dat dit die doel van die beleid is om die Afrikaanse aanbod te “onderhou en indien moontlik te vermeerder”. Gelyke Kanse se kritiek teen die taalbeleid wat in 2016 in werking gestel is, fokus veral op onvoldoende prosedures gevolg en die uitsluiting van sekere groepe. Hulle standpunt was dat die US-raad belangrike besluite soos dié oor taal moet neem, tesame met ‘n onafhanklike taalkomitee. Gelyke Kanse meen verder dat die
Die US-raad keur die 2014 taalbeleid goed, wat bepaal dat die Universiteit verbind is tot die gebruik, beskerming en volgehoue ontwikkeling van Afrikaans as ‘n akademiese taal in ‘n meertalige konteks, terwyl die aanbod van Engels ook sal toeneem om optimale leergeleenthede vir alle Suid-Afrikaners moontlik te maak.
Die Rektorbestuurspan verklaar, sonder die goedkeuring van die US-raad, die US as ‘n hoofsaaklik Engelse universiteit.
22 November 2014
12 November 2015
1 Desember 2014
Wim de Villiers word aangestel as rektor van die US.
DIE PAD NA ’N SLEGS ENGELSE UNIVERSITEIT
April 2015
Die Rektorbestuurspan vergader met radikale groepering, Open Stellenbosch, en onderneem om die 2014-taalbeleid te wysig.
nuwe taalbeleid nie toeganklik vir diegene in die onmiddellike omgewing van die Wes-Kaap is nie, en neem standpunt in dat die nuwe taalbeleid diskrimineer teen kleurling-gemeenskappe, wat meestal Afrikaans is en wat ‘n groot persentasie van die Wes-Kaapse bevolking uitmaak. In 2017 het ‘n dramastudent aan die US, Mercy Kannemeyer, ‘n dokumentêre film ‘Die Ander Kant’ vervaardig om lig te werp op ‘die ander kant’ van die taaldebat, naamlik die verreikende gevolge van die nuwe taalbeleid op die omliggende kleurling-gemeenskap in die Wes-Kaap. In reaksie daarop dat die nuwe taalbeleid ‘n groot persentasie kleurling-studente uitsluit, het advokaat vir die US, Jeremy Muller, egter daarop gewys dat ten spyte van die feit dat die meerderheid kleurling-studente se huistaal Afrikaans is, slegs van 37% van hulle in Afrikaans wil klasloop. Gelyke Kanse het intussen besluit om direk tot die Konstitusionele Hof teen die hooggeregshof-uitspraak te appelleer. In hul aansoek om ver-
Sommige fakulteite stel eerstejaarstudente in kennis dat hulle nie by die taalbeleid in werking gaan hou nie, en dat hulle ‘n “interim” besluit geneem het oor die taalbeleid wat in die fakulteit toegepas sal word tot die taalbeleid verander word.
30 November 2015
1 Februarie 2016
Die Uitvoerende Komitee van die raad aanvaar ‘n mosie dat die Rektorbestuurspan se verklaring op 12 November ongeldig is en dat die 2014-taalbeleid nog in 2016 in werking sal wees.
Februarie/ Maart 2016
lof tot appèl voer hulle aan dat die implementering van die nuwe taalbeleid tot ‘n ernstige afname in Afrikaanse aanbod gelei het. Die US het in hofstukke aan die Konstitusionele Hof erken dat daar ten koste van Afrikaanse aanbod afgewyk is van hulle nuwe taalbeleid, maar hou ook vol dat die nuwe beleid nie die algehele afskaffing van Afrikaans as amptelike onderrigtaal by die Universiteit teweegbring nie. Hulle standpunt is dat om Engels as hoofvoertaal in klasse te gebruik, die universiteit toeganklik gemaak word vir ‘n breër verskeidenheid studente en internasionale studente, en dat daar oorgenoeg hulpmiddels aan Afrikaanse studente verleen word, onder andere tolking tydens klasse en vertalings van dosente se notas. Die US het in die onlangse verlede tolking vir studente wat in Engels studeer afgeskaf, aangesien dit ‘n beperkte leerervaring bied. Gelyke Kanse wag tans vir antwoord van die Konstitusionele Hof oor hulle aansoek om verlof tot appèl.
Teen die agtergrond van afwykings van die 2014-taalbeleid, aanvaar die USraad ‘n nuwe taalbeleid.
22 Junie 2016
George Steyn, Voorsitter van die US-raad, erken dat daar “268 modules is wat nie aan die taalspesifikasies in hulle onderskeie fakulteite voldoen nie”.
Gelyke Kanse, die US se Konvokasie en ‘n groep studente bring ‘n hofaansoek om die US te dwing om hul nuwe taalbeleid te hersien en ter syde te stel.
Augustus/ September 2017
Februarie/ Maart 2018
Teen die agtergrond van klasse wat teenstrydig met die nuwe taalbeleid 100% in Engels aangebied word, asook die verdwyning van Afrikaanse parallelmediumklasse, doen Gelyke Kanse direk tot die Konstitusionele Hof aansoek om verlof tot appèl teen die hooggeregshof-uitspraak in 2017.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018
2 FEATURED
DIRCO: NO THREAT TO WHITE FARMERS EXISTS
T
Janice Matthews
he Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) rejects an Australian politician’s appeal that white farmers need fast-tracked visas on humanitarian basis, stating no such threat to any South African exists. Australian Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton believes white South African farmers facing violence and land seizure deserve “special attention” and need help from a ‘civilised country’ like Australia. The department is weighing options to facilitate fast-tracking visas on a humanitarian basis. “It’s horrific circumstances they face,” he told an Australian newspaper on 14 March. Local and international commentators have labeled Dutton’s comments as racist, but ABC News reports that West Australian Liberals have been working behind the scenes for months, leading to a motion being passed in 2017 at the party’s state council calling on the Federal Government to ‘resettle persecuted European minorities’ in South Africa and Zimbabwe. This statement of Dutton comes in midst of the future probability of land expropriation without compensation and a disproportionate farmer murder rate in South Africa. The
National Assembly has adopted a motion for a constitutional review allowing for the expropriation of land without compensation, spiking cause for concern from investors and international players on its impact. Last week Wednesday, Martin Louw, a well known farmer and farm manager of a Tulbach farm was murdered in the second farm attack of the day in the province, shedding light once again on the disproportionate farm murder rate in South Africa. Earlier on Wednesday, a 62 year old woman was attacked on her farm in the Morreesburg area of the Western Cape. While at home the ANC government denies that white farmers are being targeted, the international media – notably Sky News, Fox News and ABC Australia - have recently picked up on hate speech incidents and the issue of oddly brutal farm murders in South Africa. “I don’t want to ostracise the entire population in South Africa tomorrow, but in the same way little things built to what became apartheid, little things can build to the reversal of it,” remarked a Sky News anchor. Julius Malema’s comment in 2016 that he is “not calling for the slaughter of whites, for now”, as well as his recent call to “cut the
SOUTH AFRICA: FARM MURDERS COMPARED TO OTHER MURDERS Rate Premeditated or Not Nature Motivation
Farm Murders
Other Murders
Commercial farmers murdered at 156 per 100 000 people Unilaterally planned attackers consciously travel to reach victims Often prolonged and gruesome Unclear - but public hate speech followed directly by incidents points to political/ racial motivation in some cases
South African population as a whole murdered at 34.1 per 100 000 people Mostly not premeditated usually mutual provocation that leads to murder Mostly instant death - e.g. stabbing, shooting Varies - but in most cases anger, provocation, lack of impulse control or gang related
throat of whiteness” has also recently caught the attention of major news outlets in the world. However, DIRCO spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya assured that “[t]here is no reason for any government in the world to suspect that a section of South Africans is in danger from their own democratically-elected government. That threat does not exist.” Mabaya stated that the channels for engagement with the South African government “remain open and available for all governments.” Addressing the issue of land expropriation without compensation,
ZUMA’S JUDGMENT DAY Johann Potgieter
N
early a decade after former president Jacob Zuma was charged, he will finally have to face the music. The 2009 charges, which were dropped in the same year and reinstated in 2016, include among others racketeering, corruption, money laundering, and fraud. On Friday (16 March) during a media briefing, the head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Shaun Abrahams, announced that Zuma’s case will resume. According to Abrahams, there are “reasonable prospects” in Zuma’s prosecution. The former president was informed of the decision prior to the public announcement. Despite meeting with his prosecution team two weeks earlier to discuss the allegations, due to an agreement between the NPA and the Council for the Advancement of the South Afri-
can Constitution (CASAC), Abrahams was only able to announce his decision as of 15 March. Abrahams stated that he considered but ultimately rejected Zuma’s representations, and that the matter is now out of his direct control. The African National Congress (ANC) affirms that Zuma must be considered innocent until proven guilty, and that he will still be included in the ANC’s upcoming election campaign, according to ANC spokesperson, Pule Mabe. In a public statement, Ace Magashule, the Secratary General of the ANC, implored South Africans to give the trial space and time to run its due course. He also wrote that “Comrade Jacob Zuma [is] to be presumed innocent until and if proven guilty”. On the other hand, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) both welcomed the decision, the IFP saying that the trial is long overdue. However, the
EFF MP, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, believes that in order for faith to be restored in the prosecuting authority’s ability to conduct a neutral case, Abrahams must be removed from office. This refers to a court ruling that Abrahams’s appointment was unlawful. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is equally optimistic that South Africa’s justice system will prevail against Zuma. “At last the axe has eventually fallen,” said Ben Theron, OUTA’s Chief Operating Officer. Theron also blames Abrahams for the long delay in Zuma’s trial. Not all reactions have been neutral or positive towards Abrahams’s move. The former Acting Head of the NPA, Mokotedi Mpshe, has said that he hasn’t changed his mind in his decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma, saying that he has no regrets and that he was in no way pressured from any side. Soon the NPA will serve Zuma with an indictment that he will have
Mabaya also stated that “[t]he process of land redistribution would be orderly, within South African laws and take into consideration both social and economic impact.” The failure of Zimbabwe’s land distribution that led to food shortages and economic crisis casts a shadow of doubt on the current developments in South Africa. The ANC has stated however that land reform should be pursued without destabilising the agricultural sector, without endangering food security in the country and without undermining economic growth and job creation. to sign in person. Zuma still has hope, though faint, that he can avoid trial. Lucky Thekisho, lawyer to the South African Natives Forum (SANF), intends to counter the allegations against Zuma. The case is likely to play out at the High Court in Durban, where the Director of Public Prosecution will “facilitate necessary processes for Mr. Zuma and his co-accused to appear in court.” Schabir Shaik is expected to testify at the trial. Shaik, the former president’s former financial adviser, was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 2005 after being found guilty on charges of fraud and corruption. The influential businessman controversially received medical parole in March 2009 when his doctors stated that he was terminally ill. Shaik has now been approached by the Hawks for questioning, along with other possible witnesses like Cape Town’s mayor, Patricia de Lille. Although Shaik himself refused to comment on Abrahams’s announcement, his lawyers have quoted him in saying that he believes “the law will take its rightful course”.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018 NEWS RECAP
3
DAY ZERO SCRAPPED FOR THIS YEAR
D
Staff Writer
emocratic Alliance (DA) leader, Mmusi Maimane announced that Day Zero, the day that was anticipated for taps to run dry, will not happen. For this year, at least. “I am happy to announce that, provided we continue consuming water at current levels, and we receive decent winter rainfall this year, Day Zero will not occur in 2018,” Maimane stated. He continued to say that just less than two months ago, the City of Cape Town was in a dire position. “We were told that due to the worst drought the city had seen in over 100 years, its water supply was near depletion, and “Day Zero” was set to arrive on 12 April initially. We were facing an unprecedented crisis.” Maimane was not satisfied with the way the city had responded to the drought crisis up to that point. While the responsibility for bulk water supply is inarguably the responsibility of the National Government, residents of Cape Town rightly felt that their local government had not communicated openly with them. Many residents blamed the DA, and as Cape Town is a DA govern-
ment, Maimane felt the urgency to intervene and ensure that residents received the level of service and honest government that they expect from the DA. “I, therefore, decided to take political control of the situation, appoint a Drought Crisis Team and commit to doing everything possible to fight this water crisis, on all fronts. When this decision was taken, our dam levels were sitting at 27.2%, with only 17.2% of usable water left. We made one thing clear: to fight this water crisis and Defeat Day Zero, we had to band together and mobilize public support around cutting consumption to record lows.” Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson said in a statement the City of Cape Town and its residents have achieved a new water usage milestone. As on Monday (12 March), 511 million litres were used as a city, nudging everyone ever-closer to the target of 450 million litres per day - which is required to help stretch water supplies in the face of unpredictable climatic conditions. “Our commendable water usage is increasingly recognised as a phenomenal achievement across the world. Thanks to this effort our dam levels are declining at a lower weekly rate.
This is helping us to preserve our dwindling water resources. Dams supplying the City have declined by 0.6% to 23%,” he said. Neilson added that, although the potential for Day Zero has been moved to next year, the drought is still very real and the associated threat to water supply remains a reality. He applauded Capetonians’ tenacity, even in the glare of international media, to turn the city around from one of the first large cities in the world to possibly run out of water to one who can now boast of being one who is among the lowest per capita water users in the world for a metropolitan area. The city reached 511 million litres per day through sheer water-saving determination; through initiatives such as advanced pressure management; the installation of almost 37 500 water management devices at the properties of high water users; unrelenting communication efforts; and proactively implementing advanced water restrictions and associated tariffs to help change behaviour. To make sure that Day Zero does not happen at all this year, Level 6 water restrictions remain in place.
“It is low consumption that prevents us reaching Day Zero this year. The crisis puts the city’s water income into a deficit. We would not deliberately fail to sell water if we had more to sell, as that would provide more income than increasing tariffs,” said Nielson. Maimane concluded by saying while people must celebrate the collective achievement, this is not the time for complacency. “While it is now unlikely to occur in 2018, Day Zero is still a very real possibility during the 2019 summer months if we do not have significant rainfall this winter. I want to reiterate, and cannot stress enough, that we need to keep at current consumptions levels until at least after the winter rainfall. We can and we must continue to use less than 50 litres of water per day so that Day Zero can be defeated in its entirety. He said that he is confident that residents will not return to previous wasteful water practices and that people have changed their habits and routines for the better. “There is a ‘new normal’ in the Western Cape around water use. We must continue in this current spirit of utmost respect for this precious natural resource, and never waste it,” he said.
ONTEIENING SONDER VERGOEDING: DIE NUUTSTE
D
Albert Brand
ie onteiening van grond sonder vergoeding gaan ongetwyfeld ‘n meganisme wees om grondhervorming suksesvol te bewerkstellig. Dít was Woensdag (14 Maart) die boodskap van President Cyril Ramaphosa tydens sy eerste parlementêre ondervraging. Dit volg na ‘n vroeëre mosie deur die Nasionale Vergadering om die Grondwet te verander om sodoende die onteiening van grond sonder vergoeding te verseker. Seksie 25 van die grondwet beskerm tans grondeienaars hierteen. 241 Lede van die parlement het die mosie goedgekeur, terwyl 83 dit verwerp het. Daar is besluit om ‘n grondwethersieningskomitee saam te stel wat sal besluit of dié artikel in die grondwet sal verander word al dan nie. Die komitee moet teen 30 Augustus 2018 aan die parlement terugvoer gee.
Sedert die goedkeuring van die mosie, het daar al baie water onder die brug geloop. President Ramaphosa het tydens die vraesessie dit duidelik gemaak dat hy glo dat ekonomiese groei onlosmaaklik deel is van die onteiening van grond sonder vergoeding. Hy is oortuig daarvan dat grondhervorming só moet plaasvind dat dit die ekonomie stimuleer, voedselsekuriteit versterk en uiteindelik nog werk skep. Die EFF lê baie klem op die ongeregtigheid wat in die verlede swart burgers van hul grond ontneem het en hul daarna verhoed het om grond te besit. Die EFF verwys na koloniale besetting, sowel as apartheidswette soos die Naturelle Wet op Gron wat nie-blankes verhoed het om grond te besit buite hulle tuislande. Ramaphosa het beaam dat dit onaanvaarbaar is dat 80% van die land se bevolking steeds slegs 4% van private grond besit. Die ANC het
in 1994 beloof om 30% van landbou-grond wat in die besit van blanke burgers is weer in die hande van swart boere te plaas. Die ANC het aansienlik kort geskiet met die bereik van dié doel aangesien slegs 8% van die landbougrond na swart boere oorgedra is. Mmusi Maimane, leier van die DA het dit duidelik gemaak dat sy party nie die mosie ondersteun nie. Hy glo dat die onteiening van grond sonder vergoeding staatsbekragtige diefstal is. Die DA beklemtoon verder dat onteiening van grond sonder vergoeding en ekonomiese groei nie in dieselfde kamp gejaag kan word nie, aangesien private eiendomsreg integraal is vir ekonomiese groei. Maimane het ook ‘n alternatief op die tafel gesit wat daarop fokus om staatsbeheerde grond aan swart boere oor te dra. Verder glo hy braakland moet ook herverdeel word en die fokus behoort te wees om
swart burgers ontneming wil boer op te lei, te bemagtig en van hulpbronne te voorsien. Suid-Afrika is baie afhanklik van sy landbousektor. Die land is die kontinent se grootste mielieprodusent en die wêreld se tweede grootste sitrusuitvoerder. Die landboubedryf voorsien 850 000 werksgeleenthede. Indien die grondhervorming sinisiatief dus nie werk nie, sal baie arm Suid-Afrikaners die prys daarvoor moet betaal. Die voorstel van grondonteiening sonder vergoed-
ing het ook die aandag van die buiteland getrek. Australië se minister van binnelandse sake, Peter Dutton, het gesê dat hy dit sal oorweeg om die goedkeuring van blanke Suid-Afrikaanse boere se visas te bespoedig. President Ramaphosa hou egter vol dat die roekelose vat van grond nie geduld sal word nie. Die President het alle Suid-Afrikaners aangemoedig om deel te wees van die oplossing vir ‘n inklusiewe en gedeelde proses van grond hervorming.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018
4
EFF SOEK TROLLIP SE KOP
D
Alice Gouws
ie DA/EFF-huwelik is hier op die rotse. Die EFF beplan om ‘n mosie van wantroue teen die DA-burgemeester van die Nelson Mandelabaai-metro, Athol Trollip, ter tafel te lê. Dit sal egter net gedoen word indien die ANC ‘n plaasvervanger, wat nie as korrup beskou word nie, in Trollip se plek kan aanstel. ‘n Datum vir die mosie is egter nog nie vasgestel nie, maar die EFF het te kenne gegee dat hul dit so gou as 29 Maart sou wou doen. Die petisie vir die mosie van wantroue volg na die meederheid van 120 raadslede dit goedgekeur het. Die is die tweede mosie van wantroue wat teen Trollip ingestel word. Die vorige keer was in November 2017 en dié is deur die Patriotric Alliance (PA) ter tafel gelê. Trollip het op daardie geleentheid sy pos behou omdat die DA, EFF, asook die ACDP en COPE, die mosie teengestaan het. Trollip het die EFF se teiken geword kort nadat die DA verklaar het
dat hulle nie die planne vir grondhervorming sonder vergoeding ondersteun nie. Zilindile Vena, EFF-raadslid wat die koukus sal lui, se mening is dat Trollip nie na die sorge van die armes omsien nie, maar hul eerder net buite sig sal hou. Trollip word ook deur die EFF van nepotisme beskuldig omdat hy sy persoonlike prokureur, Brin Brody, asook ‘n sakeman, Andrew Jense, as direkteure van die MBDA-raad aangestel het. Beide dié twee was instrumenteel in Trollip se verkiesing. Die alliansie tussen die DA en die EFF was uit die staanspoor gedoem, só meen politieke-analis Ralph Mathekga. Mathekga glo dat die DA nie aanvanklik genoeg vrae aan sy alliansievennoot gevra
het nie en dat die partye ook nie hul onderskeie grense duidelik gestel het nie. In reaksie op die voorgestelde mosie het Trollip die redes as “pateties” beskryf. Hy het bygevoeg dat Julius Malema slegs dié stap neem om wraak teen die DA te neem oor hul teenstand teen grondhervorming sonder vergoeding. Hy meen ook Malema het ten doel om wit leiers uit te stoot. Trollip het hom ook uitgespreek oor die blatante korrupsie van beide die EFF en ANC en gesê dat dié twee partye weer binnekort hul skapies binne dieselfde kraal sal jaag.
Trollip het Malema in ‘n ope brief uitgedaag om te kom kyk wat hy en sy komitee reeds vermag het sedert sy aanstelling as burgemeester in 2016. Trollip het spesifiek verwys na die uitroei van korrupsie, wat met die hulp van die EFF tut dusver suksesvol was. Trollip het die EFF-leier ook aangespreek oor sy hernude vertroue in die ANC, nadat Malema vroeër gesê het dat hy hom sal beywer om van (voormalige) President Zuma ontslae te raak. Kundiges meen dat die beplande mosie wél kan slaag, maar met dié dat ‘n datum nog nie vasgestel is nie, is dit nog ‘n ope vraag of die EFF en ANC daarin sal slaag om Trollip tot ‘n val te bring.
SOUTH AFRICANS NOT HAPPY WITH WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT S outh Africa dropped 4 places in the annual World Happiness index for 2018, falling from 101 to 105 on the world rankings. Finland grabbed the top spot from fellow Nordic country, Norway. The United Nations first officially published the World Happiness report in 2012 and since then, it has been an annual publication. The small country of Bhutan, tucked away in the heart of the Himalayas, was the source of inspiration for the World Happiness Report. In 2011, the previous king of this small nation proposed Gross National Happiness as an alternative index and in 2012 the United Nations duly obliged. The World Happiness ranking is based on the results from the Gallup World Poll surveys. Six variables are used that support overall well-being to measure happiness, namely: income, life
expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, as well as generosity. This moves away from the traditional assumption that wealth equals happiness. This index certainly indicated that that is not the case, with two of the wealthi e s t states in the world, the United States and China occupying the 18th and 86th spots respectively. Finland tops the table in the 2018 edition, with the Nordic countries taking up the top four spots. Nordic countries have very high tax rates, but citizens see it as an investment in their own lives. The government provides free healthcare services and university education. Finland also boasts the most stable, safest and best-governed nation in the world.
They also have the soundest bank and most trusted police. The index is compiled out of 156 nations, and a new addition this year was
the only country that is not in the top 10 countries overall but sneaks into the world immigration top 10 as number 10. Prominent fallers in this
to measure the happiness of the immigrants living in countries. What proved to be interesting was that immigrants tend to have the same happiness levels of those living in the country as citizens. Finland topped both standings while South Africa ranked 80th for immigrants. Mexico is
edition include the USA and Venezuela. The USA dropped from 14th position to 18th. According to Columbian University professor Jeffrey Sachs, this is due to increasing levels of obesity, substance abuse and untreated depression. Civil unrest, severe hunger and a failed economy saw Ven-
ezuela drop 20 places from 82 to 102. They proved to be the biggest faller in this year’s edition. Togo, who was at the bottom of last year’s rankings, climbed 17 places to finish as this year’s biggest climber. With regards to Africa, Mauritius topped the rankings as the happiest country in Africa (55), followed by Libya (70), Algeria (84), Morocco (85) and Nigeria (91) to end of the top 5. South Africa dropped from 101 to 105. Many believe that this is due to high levels of corruption, violence and political instability. We are ranked to be the 8th happiest country in Africa. Burundi, due to civil war and coups, ends at the bottom of the world rankings, after the Central African Republic, South-Sudan and Tanzania. Governments are using this index more and more to make important policy decisions.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018
5
MBALULA NO LONGER A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT Fikele out in the cold?
E
x-firebrand Minister of Police can no longer call Parliament home. The ANC announced on Friday (9 March) that the former minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula, has resigned as Member of Parliament. This follows his ousting as a minister by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Jackson Mthembu‚ the ANC’s chief whip in Parliament announced that Mbalula’s resignation was already tendered one 26 February. Mbalula became the second minister to resign after former minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown. Mbalula’s resignation as Member of Parliament does however not mean that his time with the ANC is up. The very outspoken Mbalula has taken the position as the head of the party’s election campaign for the 2019 general elections. President Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear that his shift to the head of elections is by no means a demotion. He believes that Mbalula is capable to secure a landslide victory for the ANC, as he is extremely
Fikile Mbalula
competent and capable in the position he now finds himself. It is not Mbalula’s first rodeo as manager of the ANC’s election campaign. Back in 2009, he was also in this chair. President Ramaphosa stated that it was an intentional decision to move him into his position as head of elections, rather than a downgrade. Many believed that his ousting as a minister had to do with the fact that Mbalula was a fierce supporter of Jacob Zuma and openly supported Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the position as ANC president. His re-
moval as a minister, therefore, came as no surprise. Mbalula’s move from Parliament to Luthuli House to lead the ANC’s election campaign, however, was largely unexpected. Mbalula has always been considered somewhat of a firebrand calling a spade a spade. In his new capacity, he has already been making headlines for some of his statements. He surprised the public when he announced that a coalition with the EFF is not impossible. Mbalula, a former leader of the ANC Youth League, went on to say that Julius
Malema returning to the ANC is also not off the cards. The EFF has been cozying up to the ANC and vice versa, by finding common ground on the topic of expropriation of land without compensation. It seems like unity has been found in opposing the DA, who opposes the expropriation of land without compensation motion. Mbalula’s role as head of the election campaign got off to a slightly comic start when the former minister advised voters on his Twitter account to vote EFF. He confirmed that this was simply a typo and that he encourages voters to vote ANC after all. This did, however, not go unnoticed by EFF leader Julius Malema who replied that he agrees wholeheartedly with Mbalula. With a new president and a strong opposition lurking in the 2019 elections, Fikile Mbalula’s decision to resign as Member of Parliament does definitely not imply that his new position is going to be an easier task. Mbalula might be quite at home at Luthuli House, but certainly has his work cut out for him.
DIE SLAG VAN NELSON MANDELABAAI
Kampusgeweld kelder Maties vs Madibaz wedstryd Albert Brand
V
uiste het geklap en bottels en stoele het soos misiele deur die lug gevlieg voor die aanvang van Mandagaand (12 Maart) se Varsity Bekerwedstryd tussen Maties en die Madibaz. Die wedstryd is na sowat agt minute in die tweede helfte kortgeknip nadat protesoptrede deur studente aan die Nelson Mandela Universiteit (NMU) gewelddadig geraak het. Op daardie stadium het Maties met 19-0 voorgeloop. Die onrus het glo op die NMU se Suidkampus begin en het toe gevorder tot die gooi van bottels en vuisgevegte buite die ingang van die universiteit se losie-sitplekke. Sekuriteitspersoneel, wat deur studente in getalle oortref is, kon nie verhoed dat betogers die veld bestorm nie. Die skeidsregter, Paul Mente, het
die spelers by ‘n sy-ingang na veiligheid uitgelei. Daar word beweer dat die oproerige studente gelei is deur die universiteit se studenteraad. Nadat die wedstryd gestop is, het een van die betogers die mikrofoon gevat en ‘n toespraak aan die gehoor gelewer. Hy het gesê dat toeskouers hulle kan uitjou soveel as wat hulle wil, maar dat rassisme by die Nelson Mandela Universiteit nie verder geduld sal word nie. Hy het verder gesê dat swart spelers nie redelike kanse gegun word nie en dat dit tot ‘n einde moet kom. Die skare het daarna in sang uitgebreek met, ‘n groot groep wat die betogers ondersteun het. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Studente Kongres (SASCO) se streeksekretaris, Noxolo Koko, is van mening dat dié aksies van die studente deur politieke motiewe aangevuur is. Sy
glo egter dat dit eerder die frustrasie as gevolg van die Madibaz se powere vertonings in die Varsity-reeks sover, ten spyte van wêreldklas fasiliteite en afrigters, is wat die ondersteuners aangevuur het. Sy het egter haar begrip vir die uitlatings oor rassisme en die feit dat swart spelers meer kanse gegun moet word, verklaar. Woordvoerder van die Nelson Mandela Universiteit, Zandile Mbalela, sowel as die universiteit se Twitter-verklaring het dit duidelik gemaak dat die universiteit nie sulke gedrag goedkeur of steun nie. Mbalela het die gedrag gebrandmerk as ‘n oomblik om te berou. Sy het dit onomwonde gestel dat dit nie in die gees van die universiteit is nie, en ook die versekering gegee dat die gebeure verder deeglik ondersoek sal word sodat daar teen die skuldiges opgetree kan word. Maties, wat as oorwinnaars uit die
Protesoptog by die wedstryd
stryd getree het, se drieë is aangeteken deur Johan Momsen, Logan Boonzaaier en Munier Hartzenberg. Chris Smit het met twee doelskoppe geslaag. Dié oorwinning besorg aan die Maties, wat die reeks as voorlopers afsluit, ‘n tuis-halfeindstryd.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018
6 NEWS - NUUS
EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN AND GIRLS TAKES CENTRE STAGE
T
Staff Writer
he South African Parliament’s six-member multiparty delegation attended the 62nd Session of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Team SA participated in the opening plenary and several roundtable discussions relating to the promotion of the interests of rural women and girls. On Tuesday (13 March), the delegation, led by the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Thandi Modise, attended the opening of the CSW in New York. The event will run until 23 March. The delegation also includes NCOP House Chairperson Masefako Dikgale and four other Members of Parliament, Nthabiseng Khunou, Grace Tseke, Denise Robinson and Delisile Ngwenya. The issues of rural women and girls are taking the centre-stage at the CSW’s 62nd Session, which is being held under the priority theme:
“Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Rural Women and Girls”. The Parliamentary delegation, which includes the Ministry of Women, took part in roundtables which dealt with the topics like “good practices in the empowerment of rural women and girls, including through access to education, infrastructure and technology, food security and nutrition” and “good practices in the empowerment of rural women and girls, including through prevention of gender-based violence and through access to justice, social services and healthcare”. Modise stressed that the necessity and importance of empowering rural women and girls and the realisation of their human rights cannot be over-emphasized. “Women, who constitute a large proportion of the rural population, have limited, if any, access to the means of food production and remain vulnerable to food insecurity. Often, rural women are under-represented in lo-
ESKOM INQUIRY: GIGABA DODGING BULLETS Albert Brand
M
inister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, was on the receiving end of some tough questions regarding the parliamentary inquiry pertaining to Eskom early last week. On Tuesday (13 March) Gigaba faced allegations of state capture during his tenure as head of Public Enterprises. Gigaba, who also had a short stint as Finance Minister under the leadership of President Jacob Zuma, believes that he is not responsible for the allegations made against him. Gigaba was head of the department of public enterprises between 2010 and 2014. During this period, Gigaba handed out some dubious contracts, especially concerning the Gupta family. These contracts include most prominently Tegeta’s acquisition of Optimum Mines. He
Malusi Gigaba
states that at the time he took the decisions, they were in the best interests of the state-owned enterprises. The allegations against Gigaba stretch further than simply Eskom, as he has been accused of appointing members who were open to Gupta interference at not only Eskom, but also Denel and Transnet. He announced during his Eskom-inquiry that during his tenure at the Department of Public Enterprises,
cal and national institutions - which inhibit their voices and participation in decision-making processes. Generally, rural women and girls continue to bear the brunt of structural barriers, discrimination, oppression and gender-based violence, amongst others,” said Modise. The focus of this Session of the CSW is, therefore, important in ensuring that United Nations member states galvanise their individual and collective efforts to accelerate the betterment of the conditions of rural women and girls, and end all forms of oppression, violence and other harmful practices. “We need to intensify our efforts to end poverty, eradicate hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, achieve full employment and decent work for all, and combat climate change. Integral to this is the ability of rural women to access land and have land tenure security,” Modise stated. She added that the South African Parliament, through oversight, must ensure that the goals of the National Development Plan -
of creating 11 million jobs to reduce unemployment, and significantly reduce poverty and inequality by 2030 - are met. Since 1994, Parliament has passed a number of progressive laws designed to advance the development of women in all spheres of their lives. However, much needs to be done. “We need, uncompromisingly, to reject backward and harmful practices perpetrated under the guise of culture. Advancing issues of women and economic empowerment must also include ensuring that land distribution programs benefit rural women in terms of land ownership,” said Modise. The Chairperson of the NCOP and the South African Parliament’s delegation also took part in the discussion organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women on the subject: “Parliaments deliver for rural women and girls”. On Wednesday (14 March) Modise addressed one of the side events, together with UN Women Executive Director Doctor Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and other speakers.
he played a limited role in the appointments at state-owned enterprises. He stated that the Cabinet must approve all board members and he does not simply have the ability, or freedom, to do as he pleases. Floyd Shivambu of the EFF and Natasha Mazzone of the DA, particularly grilled Gigaba for his involvement with the Guptas. He denies the responsibility of appointing Gupta-owned enterprises or Gupta-affiliated board members and states that he did not know that there was any affiliation with the Gupta family. He says that he regrets inadvertently playing a role in the downfall of state-owned companies such as Eskom. He is deeply disappointed in directors and board members, whom he appointed, who abused their power. Further allegations include his appointment of Anoj Singh and Iqbal Sharma on the Transnet board. He said that, at the time, he believed they were the most capable people to do the job. Sharma seems to be the inside-man for the Gupta-family in Public Enterprises while Singh was accused of illegally transferring public money to the Gupta family. Gigaba’s legal advisor, Siyabonga Mahlangu, also set up a meeting between him and the Guptas, but Gigaba confirmed that he did not organize, attend
or even know about this meeting. Questions posed by Floyd Shivambu started to get very robust as according to him, Gigaba was not getting to the point in his elaborate responses. He directly asked Gigaba if he has personally visited the Gupta private estate in Saxonworld, Johannesburg, to which Gigaba responded that he did indeed visit a few times. Upon asking how many times are “a few”, Gigaba stated that he could not quite recall how many it was as it were not formal meetings. The DA’s Mazzone was far from impressed with Gigaba’s answers to various questions during the inquiry and proclaimed that they left a lot to be desired. Apart from Gigaba, others were also supposed to be present for this inquiry. They are Duduzane Zuma, son of the former president Jacob Zuma, Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, as well as Dudu Myeni, former SAA chair. The Gupta brothers could not attend as they are not currently in the country. Myeni claimed via SMS, and without a medical certificate, that she is ill and will not be able to fly from Johannesburg to Cape Town. The whereabouts of Zuma is still unknown. This issue is certainly far from over, as Gigaba is not the only one from which an account is expected.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018 NEWS - NUUS
7
INGONYAMA TRUST CONTROVERSY
O
Dorris Banda
wning three million hectares of land that was awarded by the apartheid government, the Ingonyama Trust is a Corporation that was formed by the Zulu tribe before the independence of South Africa. The institution of the Ingonyama Trust was to “benefit the welfare and social well-being of the members of the tribes and communities” of the Zulu people who live on this land. Of late the Trust, of which King Goodwill Zwelithini is the sole trustee, has been plagued by controversy. Former South African President, Kgalema Motlanthe, called for the Ingonyama Trust Act to be repealed or amended. A report that was compiled by a high-level panel, led by
Motlanthe, declared that the Ingonyama Trust Act had no contribution towards nation building whatsoever. Motlanthe has since been summoned by the Zulu king to explain how the panel came to such a conclusion. Some political parties are in support to dissolve the Ingonyama Trust. The EFF leader, Julius Malema, also recently called for the Ingonyama Trust Act to be repealed, saying that it was used by the whites to turn the Zulu Kingdom against the black majority. “If the Ingonyama Trust is not being used properly to benefit the Zulus, then let the Ingonyama Trust be dissolved and let the land be returned to the hands of the people. Why should the Zulu kingdom not be treated as everyone else of the institutions under democracy?” Malema wanted to know.
Mmusi Maimane, the leader of the DA, said although he agreed with the king that the land should not be nationalised, he does not agree with the issue of converting the permission to occupy sections of long-term leases. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has dismissed the government’s proposals to take control of the rural land owned by the Trust. The IFP secretary Velenkosi Hlabisa, talking on Radio 702, objected to the calls for the Ingonyama Trust Act to be dissolved. “This will disadvantage the black people, because the Ingonyama Trust is holding the remainder of the little pieces of land that is not under the control of well-privileged people.” Hlabisa did not explain how the community would be disadvantaged, but he said that, even if the land is
THE STATE OF CRYPTOCURRENCY REGULATION IN 2018
How is the world regulating cryptocurrency?” Eswee Bothma
I
n 2017, cryptocurrency, and bitcoin in particular, really captured the attention of the world. With relatively scant regulation in place, many institutional investors stayed on the sidelines. In 2018, the young and largely unregulated space that is cryptocurrency is almost certainly destined for regulatory reckoning. Regulation won’t necessarily be a bad thing. Firstly, with sufficient regulation in place large institutional investors, such as hedge funds, might start dipping their toes in this space and bring new capital to the table. Secondly, regulations that offer investor protection is absolutely imperative and is a necessary step for cryptocurrency to becoming a mature asset class. Different countries have taken starkly contrasting regulatory approaches, with some looking to crack down on crypto and others embracing it as an opportunity for growth. Here is a brief overview of how 4 different countries are approaching cryptocurrency regulation:
China: The People’s Republic of China is clamping down hard on all things cryptocurrency and seems to be the most stringent regulator of crypto-
CHINA
Clamping down hard on cryptocurrencies
UNITED STATES
Crypto enthusiasts optimistic about the state of crypto regulation
SWITZERLAND
Liberal stance on crypto regulation, minister wants Switzerland to become the ‘crypto-nation’
RUSSIA
Indecisive
currency of the major world economies. Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrency exchanges were banned last year and bitcoin mining is being heavily discouraged by electricity limits imposed on miners. With more than 50% of the 2017 bitcoin hash rate stemming from China, many were concerned that the hash rate would drop significantly due to these electricity limits. However, most large mining firms have simply relocated, mainly to Singapore and Canada.
United States: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a 2017 report warned investors that investing in cryptocurrency is risky and that no one should “invest more than they are willing to lose”. In a hearing on 6 February before the Senate Banking Committee, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Christopher Giancarlo spoke about what the regulation of cryptocurrency might look like in the US.
The hearing struck a surprisingly optimistic tone with crypto enthusiasts. The CFTC’s Giancarlo came across as genuinely enthusiastic and curious about the emerging market “We owe it this new generation to respect their enthusiasm about virtual currencies with a thoughtful and balanced response, not a dismissive one,” he told the Committee. He did, however, come down hard on potential frauds and scammers in the crypto space, stating that the state must crack down on those who attempt to defraud and harm investors. The bitcoin price rallied after the hearing was aired, indicating that investors perceived the overall tone as bullish.
Switzerland: Known for its progressive and pro-growth attitude towards banking and taxation, Switzerland has taken a similarly liberal stance on crypto regulation. The Swiss Minister of Economics, Johann Schneider-Ammann, stated that he wants Switzerland to become “the crypto-nation”.
controlled by the government, community members’ rights of owning the land will be taken away from them. King Zwelithini told the African National Congress (ANC) to “leave the land alone.” The king has urged all Zulu people to donate R5 towards the legal battle if the government goes ahead to repeal the trust. A number of voices from community groups have joined the choir in KwaZulu-Natal, protesting against the dissolving of the Trust. The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal indicated that they would not want to be involved in an act that undermines the King. The Trust has been in the spotlight before. As a former state institution, it was exempted from paying tax from April 1994 to July 2005. Jorg Gasser, secretary of the Swiss treasury was quoted by the Financial Times as saying that the Swiss government “want the ICO market to prosper but without compromising the standards or integrity of our financial markets.” With its pro-crypto taxation laws, Switzerland has already started attracting investors and crypto-innovators.
Russia: Russia has been extremely indecisive in its approach to crypto regulation. Russian Central Bank Governor, Elvira Nabiullina stated in September 2017 that the central bank was against regulating cryptocurrencies as currency or legal tender. Which seemed to indicate that it would take a hands-off, laissez-faire approach with regards to the crypto industry. This was contradicted shortly after, when President Vladimir Putin said that cryptocurrencies carry serious risks, such as laundering criminal capitals, evading taxes and financing terrorism and that regulation is much-needed. A heavy taxation on mining ventures was also proposed by Russian treasury. The Russians quickly changed their tune, when realising that a too harsh regulatory stance on crypto could cause capital outflows to neighbouring Belarus, where a much more crypto-friendly approach is being taken. With the stark differences in the various approaches taken by countries, it is unclear what the global consensus regarding crypto regulation will be. What is clear, however, is that cryptocurrency and ICO’s offer massive growth opportunities and that economies who embrace this and manage to successfully regulate it will attract capital from all around the globe.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018
8
WATER: A NATIONAL CRISIS
T
Christopher Kallis
he drought continues to threaten to dehydrate nearly every Western Cape municipality. This is not an isolated event heralded by our inherent vulnerability to natural forces, but a symptom of an impending national disaster. Like many economic and environmental crises facing South Africa, it can be attributed to ailing infrastructure, a lack of funds, and gross governing mismanagement. If not redressed and corrected with the full might of executive reformation and the provision of the funds for the repair, maintenance, and advancement of water allocation and sanitation services, South Africa could be facing the entire disintegration of its existing infrastructure.
Ailing Infrastructure - and not a penny to spare Reports by The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) are staggering. 37% of our entire supply of water that is distributed throughout South Africa is lost due to poor maintenance of pipelines, faulty taps, and plumbing; More frighteningly, this statistic is only what the DWS was able to observe through the reports of crumbling infrastruc-
ture. The highest projection of the actual loss of water due to malfunctioning infrastructure reaches between a ludicrous 50% to 60% of all water distributed to municipalities. Considering these statistics, the demand from 60% of all South African municipalities has exceeded the ability of existing infrastructure to supply water. Further, reallocating water from one municipality to another is a near impossibility since 98% of all available water sources are already in use, and not without strain. In light of all of this, the DWS is negligently underfunded. In order to maintain our infrastructure and avoid an inevitable colossal collapse, the DWS requires funds exceeding R290 billion. However, the department has only been allocated an average of R3 billion divisible funds a year for the past four years to tackle these woes. This shocking underfunding has an immense effect on standards of sanitation.
The Sanitation Time Bomb This chronic lack of funds has led to an overwhelming budget deficit amongst 30% of water scheme functionaries throughout our municipalities, forcing them to make tough decisions on how to best make use of the funds provided for the maintenance
of infrastructure and the quality of the overseeing of the facilities that both distribute water and ensure sanitisation. The percentage of water schemes falling into deficit is expected to increase by between 15% and 20% within the next 5 years. Thus, municipalities tend to spend their budget nearly entirely on water provision and underfund sanitation. In a study coordinated by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), it was found that 9% of our municipalities are already experiencing crisis level risks of disease epidemics, and a further 38% are on the brink of deteriorating into this category of crisis due to 40% of our water treatment facilities being in a critical state of disrepair and ongoing mismanagement of toxic waste disposal.
Governing Mismanagement and Blue Drop Apathy The DWS has reported that 60% of all managing authorities of water treatment facilities have not been able to achieve the required licenses or permits to maintain and oversee their treatment plants. Of those who have achieved these requirements, 33 % have reported to not procedurally monitor the quality of their treated water on a monthly basis. Another 20% do not have access to qualified laboratories to conduct a routine analysis. The SAHRC’s re-
port of its investigation into the Blue Drop Certification, a committee that monitors and rates the national level of water sanitation’s compliance with international standards, found that during an audit of 153 municipal water systems within South Africa, only 98 were able to satisfy this compliance. With an astounding expression of apathy, there is a substantial minority of municipalities who simply do not respond to these audits.
Executive Leadership South Africa has never been in more dire straits for strong executive leadership to immediately address this impending collapse under the weight of underfunding and mismanagement. Stating that “we are running out of time,” is nearly deceitful. There is no time left to be spared, and the importance of water cannot be overstated. The most basic right of all South Africans, that we all depend upon for life itself, cannot continue to be ignored. An eventual collapse of this key infrastructure would not only have devastating effects on the well-being of our population, but also gut our agricultural and business sector as no farm or business can function without the provision of water. Whether these circumstances will improve under our new executive leadership is not yet apparent, but the consequences of the continued incompetence of the past several years could lead our country to disaster without any hope of recovery.
MAIMANE STEL SJAMBOK GRONDHERVORMING- SHOCK FOR EFF STANDPUNT VOLUNTEER L A eier van die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) Mmusi Maimane het verlede week die party se standpunt rondom grondhervorming verduidelik. Maimane het op Maandag (12 Maart) sy party se beleid rakende grondhervorming uiteengesit te midde van vurige debatte rondom die parlement se besluit om die Grondwet te wysig sodat onteiening van grond sonder vergoeding kan geskied. Maimane het tydens die gesprek gesê dat die DA grondrestitusie en – herverdeling van grond sal ondersteun, mits dit aan streng reëls voldoen. Hy het gesê dat die party pogings ondersteun wat dié dinge wat in die verlede verkeerd gedoen is, te herstel. Hy het verwys na “die aaklige nalatenskap van geforseerde ontneming van eiendom”. Maimane het dit egter baie duidelik gestel dat hy nié ten gunste van ’n Grondwetwysiging is nie. Hy het gewaarsku dat om die lot van grond in die hande van die staat te laat, tot ‘n onherroeplike fiasko sal lei.
Hy meen dat die eintlike doel van die ANC is om privaatbesit van eiendom geheel en al af te skaf. Maimane is ‘n voorstander van ‘n stelsel waarin mense werklik huiseienaars kan wees en die reg het om bates en finansiële stabiliteit te kan opbou sodat dit weer, deur erflating, aan hul kinders oorgedra kan word. “Dit is die enigste manier om die siklus van inter-generasie armoede waarmee aparteid ons gelaat het, te breek”. Hy het bygevoeg dat die DA sal verseker dat daar sinvolle regstelling plaasvind en dat baie meer geleenthede vir swart Suid-Afrikaners om eienaars te kan word van landbou- sowel as stedelike grond, geskep sal word. DA-woordvoerder oor landelike ontwikkeling en grondhervorming, Thandeka Mbabama, en haar adjunk, Ken Robertson het by dieselfde geleentheid ten sterkste ontken dat die party se teenkanting teen die regering se beoogde planne gelykstaande is aan dwarsboming van hervorming, en dié beweringe as onsin afgemaak.
Quinton Lourens
Midrand woman is accused of assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm after an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) volunteer was allegedly attacked with a sjambok. The fracas apparently broke out on 10 March when the volunteer, Mohera Boshomane, was part of a group setting up their party’s table at a voter registration station during the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) recent nationwide voter registration weekend. Boshomane claims the woman whipped him and injured his hand with one of her two sjamboks when she tried to scare them off in front of her property. He told reporters afterwards that he tried to explain to the irate woman why they were
there, but that she would not listen to reason. He admits that he pushed her away from him and that she then fell. According to sources, the woman claims that she was unaware of the IEC’s voting station near her property. A case of assault is being investigated by the Midrand police.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018 OPINION
9
DIE VERDELENDE WÊRELD VAN TRANSFORMATIES TIAN ALBERTS
W
Hoofredakteur | Editor-in-chief
anneer ‘n universiteit wat gereeld verkondig hoe graag hulle wil uitstyg op internasionale ranglyste, vrye teuels aan hulle “Transformasiekantoor” - en ‘n klein minderheid radikale studente - gee om kampus te “herontwerp” ooreenkomstig ‘n bloudruk wat lyk of dit gesamentlik deur Marx en Fanon opgestel is, dan is dit miskien tyd om ‘n bietjie stil te staan vir perspektief. Kommunisme het nie as ekonomiese stelsel geslaag nie – daarom het fakulteite by Westerse universiteite, maar veral in Noord-Amerika, oor die laaste dertig jaar die taak op hande geneem om die beginsels van kommunisme op sosiale kwessies te karteer. Die idee is dat dit nou nie meer hoef te gaan oor wie die haves en have-nots is nie, maar oor wie die “onderdrukkers” en wie die “onderdruktes” is. Om te bepaal wie die “onderdrukkers” en “onderdruktes” onderskeidelik is, is blykbaar baie eenvoudig: Gebruik slegs ras, geslag, seksualiteit en ander kategorieë van identiteit as maatstaf. Die “onderdruktes” is veronderstel om die meeste praatregte te hê, en die “onderdrukkers” moet verkieslik “luister om te verstaan”. Dít is moderne identiteitspolitiek in ‘n neutedop. Die ideologie van identiteitspolitiek forseer dus ‘n identiteit van “onderdruk” of “onderdrukte” op studente af op grond van hulle ras, geslag en seksualiteit. Almal wat “onderdruk” is moet verenig in opstand teen die “onderdrukker”. Dié ideologie word in Noord-Amerika vir voorgraadse studente gedoseer, en die gevolge is angswekkend: Die ergste verdeeldheid nog ooit op Amerikaanse kampusse, irrasionele woede en aktivisme wat herinner aan mitiese stamoorlog, ongunstige sielkundige newe-effekte vir dié wat as “onderdruk” bestempel word, en die ondergang van vryheid van spraak en kritiese denke. Dit is geen wonder dat professors, politici en sosiale kundiges hul lewens en werk tot stilstand roep om navorsing te doen en boeke hieroor te skryf nie. Gelukkig hoef studente by sogenaamde moderne Afrika-universiteite soos die Universiteit van Stellenbosch nie bekommerd te wees oor die onmin wat deur uitgediende Westerse identiteitspolitiek op kam-
pusse aan die anderkant van die wêreld gesaai word nie? Verkeerd. Die Universiteit van Stellenbosch se Transformasiekantoor, en die klein minderheid radikale studente wat hul energie en ideologiese uitbundigheid uit dié kantoor put, het dit goedgedink om juis dit wat soveel verdeeldheid en konflik op Noord-Amerikaanse kampusse veroorsaak, letterlik te inkorporeer as die amptelike “nuwe normaal” vir Matieland. Definisielyste en gidse vir dosente, “objektiewe” taakspanverslae, verpligte lesings, sessies by verwelkomingsprogramme vir eerstejaars – dít is die gereedskap wat die Transformasiekantoor gebruik om identiteitspolitiek, en sub-ideologieë daarvan soos interseksionaliteit, ‘n werklikheid op ons kampus te maak.
Hoekom ‘n rubriek hieroor skryf en dit nie op kampus probeer aanspreek nie? Want, wanneer die Direkteur van Studentesake se antwoord op jou opregte kritiek is dat jy “regtig ons training programmes gaan geniet”, of wanneer die hoof van die Transformasiekantoor - wat veronderstel is om vir alle doeleindes objektief te wees - in ‘n verpligte lesing vir jou probeer wysmaak dat swartmense nie rassisties kan wees nie, dan is dit nie meer die moeite werd om te probeer engage in die “oopgesprekke” wat die US so graag wil hê ons aan moet deelneem nie. Dié “oopgesprekke” dien geen ander doel as om voorafbepaalde politieke agendas op dogmatiese manier te bevestig en te versterk nie. Die oorgrote meerderheid studente by die US is gelukkig oopkop, goedgesind, en sensitief vir mense se pyn, en het boonop ‘n waarneembare sin vir sosiale geregtigheid wat telkens manifesteer in daardie sosiale interaksies wat ongereguleerd plaasvind. Dít is nie te versmaai nie, maar word oorskadu in ‘n gyselaarsituasie waarin ‘n klein radikale minderheid doelbewus idees wat op die marges van sosiale diskoers in ander lande uitdrukking vind, hier in die hoofstroom probeer intrek en legitimeer as die uitsluitlike waarheid.
Interseksionaliteit, ‘n teorie wat spruit uit ‘n opstel deur Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, dat mense verskillende grade van onderdrukking ervaar afhangende van hul verskillende identiteite (ras, geslag, seksualiteit, ens.), is ‘n goeie voorbeeld van ‘n teorie wat reeds in Noord-Amerika deur kundiges gediskrediteer is, maar nou deur die US in die hoofstroom ingetrek word. Die probleem lê nie by die teorie self nie, maar eerder by die aanwending van die teorie. Waar interseksionaliteit populêr word verval die meganismes wat veronderstel is om ‘n oop, vrye en intellektuele kampusomgewing met ‘n vryemark van idees te onderhou. Die meriete van argumente, feite, behoorlike regsprosesse en vryheid van spraak word deur ideoloeë voorgehou as slenters vir onderdrukking. Diegene wat vasklou aan meriete, feite, behoorlike regsproses en vryheid van spraak word eenvouding oorrompel en gebrandmerk as bevoorreg, rassisties, seksisties, onkundig of onsensitief – of alles gesamentlik. Konflik, en selfs geweld, ontstaan. Identiteitspolitiek en intersektionaliteit, wat nou te danke aan ideoloeë in magsposisies die verwysingsraamwerk vir amptelike interaksie op kampus geword het, maak dit vir selfaangestelde “maatskaplikegeregtigheidskrygers” moontlik om kritiese gesprekke, koshuisvergaderings, koukusse en ander platforms vir interaksie te domineer of tot stilstand te dwing met hulle “progressiewe” retoriek. Die res – die stille meerderheid - moet eerder stilbly, tensy hulle bereid is
om uitputtende konflik, woede en trane te trotseer. Die groot vraag is natuurlik hoekom bes moontlik die mees stabiele universiteit in Suid-Afrika hul stabiliteit self wil ondermyn deur studente op grond van ras, geslag en seksualiteit in verskillende kategorieë van “onderdruk” en “bevoorreg” te plaas en hulle teen mekaar af te speel? Besef hulle dan nie dat deur dit te doen, hulle besig is om ‘n stabiele kampus kwesbaar te maak vir radikale bewegings van dekolonisasie en geweld wat op ander kampusse reeds besig is om vastrapplek te vind nie? Bo en behalwe dit, is die US besig om die relevante proses van transformasie te reduseer tot ‘n groteske nabootsing van gemarginaliseerde Amerikaanse idees en eksperimente oor identiteit. In die proses word geleenthede vir ware transformasie nie net verbeur nie, maar US-studente – toekomstige sleutelrolspelers in Suid-Afrika - word ingespuit met ‘n dosis identiteitspolitiek wat ‘n reeds verdeelde Suid-Afrika blootweg nie kan bekostig nie. Ten spyte van die kommerwekkende werksaamhede beskryf, is ek trots daarop om ‘n Matie te wees. Die meerderheid studente bou hegte vriendskapbande oor rasgrense heen, geniet hulself, respekteer mekaar en dra uiteindelik by tot ‘n beter, vryer Suid-Afrika. Die vraag is net hoe lank dit vir een vrot appel gaan neem om al die ander in die mandjie aan te steek... Hierdie rubriek het eers in Rapport verskyn op Sondag, 18 Maart 2018.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018
10 OPINION
MADE IN AMERICA Jacques Burger
W
hy is campus politics in South Africa the way it is? To some, this might seem like a question of no consequence. People tend to be political about matters affecting them in their immediate environment. Yet we do not call “emergency meetings” about the 2 426 cases of theft reported in Stellenbosch during 2017. Nor do we see students hosting “critical discussions” about the seemingly dwindling job opportunities available after university. The thing is, as pressing as these matters might be, they do not fall under the realm of identity politics, thereby placing them second to other predetermined concerns. I am therefore inclined to ask once again, why is campus politics the way it is? Simply put, many of the politi-
cal views prevalent at universities in South Africa were imported, through social media, from abroad and then adjusted to fit a South African context. American and Canadian campus politics seem to be the main influence, with ideas such as “white privilege” finding its roots in questionable academic papers, only to be driven to popularity through systemic implementation, either by the university or a sub-division of students. If we are willing to import certain ideologies, then we must accept the reality that we are importing their consequences as well. The consequence of these ideas in the Americas is clear, and to believe the chain of events will somehow be different in South Africa is
both naïve and dangerous. The political campaigns in the Americas seem to have reached their logical conclusion. They have created authoritarian structures that foster an aversion to free speech. There are countless examples of speakers being yelled down at universities and “de-platformed” by radical ideologues unwilling to listen or debate. Because these ideologues believe their views to be morally superior, they justify their zero-tolerance attitude towards the ideas of others. Free speech advocates such as Ben Shapiro and Professor Jordan Peterson have all been harassed by these radicals. The latest victim is Christina Hoff Sommers, also known as
The Factual Feminist. A self-proclaimed feminist, Sommers was shouted down by an organised student group during one of her lectures at Lewis & Clark Law School. The students accused her of being a “fascist” and “rape apologist” for daring to challenge the narrative supported by third-wave feminists. This direct infringement of free speech was condoned and applauded not only by the Portland National Lawyers Guild, but by many other law student associations. If these intolerant ideas and behaviour were confined to a minority of radical individuals one might be able to look past them. However, universities are increasingly lax in challenging the intolerance of the persecution of these individuals, consequently allowing their ideologies to penetrate university structures. If South African universities are not careful they will soon learn that their prescriptive political strategies, rooted in identity politics, will create the very divide they claim to fight. It will alienate some while granting others unchecked political authority, subsequently destroying the fundamental right to free speech.
NEW ‘HATE SPEECH BILL’ WILL KILL FREEDOM OF SPEECH Alice Gouws
T
he Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crime and Hate Speech Bill might seemingly help those who “feel invisible”, but in the bigger picture it will kill freedom of speech and cause resentment. The Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crime and Hate Speech Bill was approved to be sent to parliament on Thursday, 15 March. Deputy Justice Minister, John Jeffrey, asserted that the Bill “will contribute to eradicating not only racism, but all forms of discrimination” in South Africa. Yet, it leaves one wondering if this is indeed doable or simply misdirected idealism. The Bill has rather broad parameters for what qualifies as hate speech, which can be poignantly summarised as speech with the “clear intention to be harmful or to incite harm or promote or propagate hatred” after which a list ranging from race to appearance to
sexual orientation follows. The Bill looks good on paper but putting what it proposes into practice may, fundamentally, be against human nature. Looking at the history of South Africa, one quickly notices that it is fraught with violence, between and within all populaces here, to varying degrees. Our recent history is peppered with inhumane acts that drew the world’s attention, when 1994 heralded a new democratic era for South Africa, the world was again watching. After years of racial segregation, this country united under a new flag as the Rainbow Nation. However, with recent (and past) racially fueled hate speech and crimes, it quickly becomes apparent that the Rainbow still has not appeared as the storm of unrest is still blustering through our divided nation. With democracy came a forced vision of what a united nation looks like. Advertising companies jumped on the opportunity to display
both white and non-white families supporting a particular brand of toothpaste or washing powder. With the ending of apartheid, we saw schools integrating, generally in the ‘traditionally’ white areas. Affirmative action was the buzzword of the day, later morphing into its current and hard to decipher BBBEE form. Yes, many things have indeed changed and many instances of integrative equality have been seen, but it seems that an effective dialogue between South Africans has never been fully entered into. This has lead to a continued divide within South Africa, one that is shown not only by where we live, but how we interact with one another daily. Sanja Bornman, Human Rights Lawyer and Chairperson of the Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG) explained that without a legal definition nor laws governing hate crimes, “the hate or the prejudice element behind these individual crimes remains invisible in the sys-
tem and that makes victims feel invisible.” Those last three words: “victims feel invisible” stand out not only because they express how many South Africans feel about our current situation, but also how many individuals are forced to feel by those who deem themselves to be entitled or deserving of better treatment for whatever reason. However, it is not all as simple as that. This Bill, while created with the perceived intention to protect the people, will likely kill freedom of speech if passed. Civil society organisations have expressed concerns about the Bill; it would plainly undermine the ethos of democracy, silencing those who are against governmental action. If the people see fault in a political entity, be it a party, the president, or MP, voicing those opinions may see them charged criminally. This in turn would build resentment, rather than facilitate an open dialogue between South Africans.
If we wish to stub out hate speech and hate crimes, it would be better to revisit the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000. The Preamble kicks off thus: “The consolidation of democracy […] requires the eradication of social and economic inequalities, especially those that are systemic in nature, which were generated in our history by colonialism, apartheid and patriarchy, and which brought pain and suffering to the great majority of our people”. The objects of the Act highlight specifically that all persons have the right to enjoy all freedoms that do not harm others. There are furthermore disciplinary steps in place to act against those who cause harm to others based on a myriad of discriminative reasons. It would thus seem unnecessary for the new Bill to be passed into law as it will, uncompromisingly, undermine the very basis of the united nation envisioned back in 1994.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018 OPINION 11
AN UPDATE ON LISTERIOSIS
W
Staff Writer
ith the second highest number of Listeriosis cases reported, the Western Cape Department of Health is not leaving anything to chance. Listeriosis is a serious disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is transmitted to persons through the ingestion of contaminated food products. Over the past year, there have been 948 laboratory-confirmed cases of Listeriosis in South Africa - 88 of these have been reported in the Cape metro. After the Gauteng province, the Western Cape has 119 confirmed cases reported to the Provincial Communicable Disease Centre for 2017/2018. A total of 77% (88/115) are from various areas within the Cape Metro, and 29 deaths (25%) have been reported to date. Provincial Health Minister Dr Nomafrench Mbombo said as much as the source of the disease was identified outside the Western Cape, they still have to do so much work to make sure that everyone is aware and they know what they have to do. “We came to Wynberg as it is a busy area with a lot of vendors here selling ready-made food. Our message is that they should be clean, work on clean
surfaces and make sure that their utensils are clean at all times. We are happy that people are following what is happening around Listeriosis and they are aware of the disease, making our work here easy.”
Everyone is pulling together to curb the pandemic The City of Cape Town’s environmental health practitioners said that they assist with the recall of products following the National Government’s announcement that the source of the Listeriosis outbreak has been identified. Mayoral committee member for safety and security and social services, JP Smith, said in a statement the City’s environmental health practitioners will visit smaller outlets to establish if they are aware of the recall and to record volumes of product being kept on site. “This information can then be used to aid the recall and ensure that the identified products are removed from the shelves. City Health will also visit fast food outlets and other food traders and will continue with its education and awareness campaign around personal hygiene, food safety and other risks to human health,” he said. Lawrence MacDougall, CEO of Tiger Brands said Enterprise Foods
received a report from the Department of Health on 8 March which confirmed the presence of the Listeria monocytogenes ST6 (LST6) strain in their Polokwane factory. This follows environmental swabs taken at the factory on 2 February. “We are directing all our efforts, energy and time to determine how this could have occurred. The health and safety of our customers is our number one priority. I am deeply concerned by the detection of LST6 in our factory. Together with our staff, business partners and the relevant authorities we are working to mitigate any further risks to consumers. We are well advanced in the national recall of all ready-to-eat chilled processed meat products, which we initiated on Sunday. We will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of this to ensure it does not happen again,” says MacDougall. He says they are doing everything within their power to get to the root cause of LST6 being found in the Polokwane plant. “We have appointed a team of local and international scientific experts. Our Polokwane and Germiston factories remain closed whilst we conduct a deep cleaning process. We acknowledge and recognise that we are dealing with a national crisis which has im-
pacted customers, consumers and the industry. To date, we have recalled the majority of all products from retail outlets. These were removed with dedicated trucks and are being kept in a quarantine warehouse awaiting disposal by incineration.” • The City of Cape Town has made the following recommendations: • Avoid all processed and readyto-eat meat products if pregnant. • Keep these products away from young infants, elderly persons and anyone with a weakened immune system • Enterprise branded processed meat should not be consumed. If you have any such products at home, please return them to the place of purchase for safe disposal and you should receive a refund for the purchase City Health also reminds the public to always keep the five food safety rules in mind: • Keep clean: wash your hands before handling food • Cook food thoroughly • Separate raw food from cooked food • Make sure that cooked food is kept at an appropriate temperature • Use safe water to wash noncooked food and only use pasteurised or boiled milk products
RETURN TO THE COSMOS: A FAREWELL TO STEPHEN HAWKING Caitlin Hancocks
F
or a day toward the end of a blazing Cape Town summer, this gloomy, rainy Wednesday seems quite fitting after hearing of the passing of Stephen Hawking. The brilliant physicist and cosmologist was found in his home in Cambridge, England and declared dead on this day, Wednesday, 14th March 2018, at age 76. Stephen Hawking was a renowned and respected genius in the field of cosmology, physics and advanced scientific research. Known for his theory of cosmology backed by the theory of general relativity and quantum mechanics, Hawking has been a key leader in science since 1970 when he propelled the theory that would become the second law of
Stephen Hawking
black hole dynamics. From this point, his success in his fields advanced to lengths previously unforeseen. The story of Stephen Hawking, besides his outstanding intellect and innovation, is made so inspirational by his sheer determination in severely cruel circumstances. Hawking was diagnosed with a motor neuron disease called
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) when he was 21-years-old and in his final year in college. The disease caused severe deterioration in the ability to use his limbs and other functions of his body, to the point that he was paralyzed - save for the use of a finger and his eyes. The one thing left untouched was his mental capacity, which continued
to grow stronger as the rest of his body weakened. This proved to be all he needed to succeed. In order to adapt to the disadvantages of his illness, Hawking found alternative ways to communicate after he lost his speech entirely. Initially using his eyebrows to motion towards flash cards, later using a computer program to select words and phrases, and eventually, with the aid of a speech synthesizer, he refused to allow his disability to hold him back. Hawking not only discovered marvels in scientific history and theory, but he also conveyed his findings and theories in various books which he wrote himself. With the most popular being “A Brief History of Time” (1988), Hawking allowed for his knowledge
and insight to be conveyed to the average man looking to delve into the depths of his works. Concepts that seem impossible to grasp are made so understandable and inspiring in his writing, giving everyone a glimpse at his level of brilliance. His autobiography, “My Brief History” (2013), is a closer, personal look at his life, from his success to his hardships. His story shares many lessons on life, relationships, determination and believing in yourself and what you are passionate about. There is much to learn from a life so valuable and influential. Whether in daily life, the workplace, your studies or relationship with yourself and others, Stephen Hawking has shown us that regardless of circumstances there are endless possibilities for success. “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at,” may just be the key to living a life as meaningful as that of the great, late Stephen Hawking.
Nova Mentis
Maandag 19 Maart 2018
12 SPORT
PROTEAS SEËVIER IN DIE BAAI Albert Brand ‘n Titaniese terugvegpoging het daarvoor gesorg dat die Proteas die tweede toets, wat in Port Elizabeth gespeel is, kon beklink. Die reeks is nou gelyk. Die spanne se volgende slagveld is op Nuweland - met dié wedstryd wat deurslaggewend kan wees met wié as oorwinnaar van die reeks uit die stryd sal tree. Die toets in PE het afgeskop met Australië wat 1-0 voorloop in die reeks van vier toetse. Australië het besluit om eerste te kolf. Met 98 sonder die verlies van ‘n paaltjie net voor middagete op dag een, het dit gelyk of die Aussies meer van dieselfde gaan uitdeel - soos in die eerste toets. Net voor middagete het die Proteas egter ontslae geraak van die openingskolwer, Cameron Bancroft. Nét voor teetyd het Kagiso Rabada egter vir die partytjie opgedaag en ná spel na die verposing hervat is, het die bouler voort gegaan om die beste syfers van sy professionele loopbaan aan te teken - vyf paaltjies geneem in die bestek van slegs 18 balle. Van ‘n posisie van 182 vir die verlies van agt paaltjies het die Aus-
Die Proteas in aksie
sies egter goed gedoen om terug te veg na ‘n billike totaal 243. Suid-Afrika se beurt het goed afgeskop met beide Dean Elgar en Hashim Amla wat baie geduld aan die dag gelê het om Suid-Afrika na 155 vir die verlies van twee paaltjies te neem. Hulle is egter kort ná mekaar uitgehaal, met beide wat hul vyftigtalle op die bord gesit het. Daarna was dit die AB de Villiers-vertoning. De Villiers het ‘n onoorwonne 126
van slegs 146 aflewerings aangeteken om aan die Proteas ‘n voorsprong van 139 lopies te besorg. Hy is goed ondersteun deur Vernon Philander (36 lopies) en Keshav Maharaj (30 lopies). De Villiers was in ‘n klas van sy eie en het die Australiese boulers behoorlik laat bontspring. Die briljante Kagiso Rabada het verseker dat die Aussies se tweede beurt ook nie ‘n piekniek is nie. Rabada, wat by tye aflewerings vinniger
as 150km/h afgestuur het, het deeglik op die Aussies se senuwees gewerk. Hy het die omgekeerde swaai in sy guns laat tel om sodoende die Aussie middel -en laerorde te verwoes. Rabada is goed bygestaan deur sy mede-boulers, Philander, Ngidi en Maharaj met laasgenoemde twee wat albei ook twee paaltjies elk geneem het. Australië is beperk tot 239, wat die Proteas ‘n maklike teiken van 101 lopies besorg het. Die Proteas het dié afgejaag met die verlies van vier paaltjies en sodoende die toets met ses paaltjies beklink. Ná Nuweland verskuif die oorlogsone na die Wanderers. Die swaard wat oor Rabada se kop hang, werp op dié stadium ‘n wolk oor die Proteas se vooruitsigte vir die oorblywende twee toetswedstryde. Die moontlikheid bestaan dat die Steyn Remover, Dale Steyn, Rabada se plek in die span kan neem. Die Proteas sal uitsien na die wedstryd aan die voet van Tafelberg, aangesien Nuweland gewoonlik vir hul geluk - en oorwinning - bring. * Lees elders in dié uitgawe ook die berig oor die IKR se skorsing van Kagiso Rabada.
PROTEAS KAN SONDER RABADA VERWELK Robbie La Grange
K
rieketliefhebbers is vroeg dié week onkant betrap met die nuus dat die Protea ster-snelbouler, Kagiso Rabada, vir twee wedstryde geskors is. Dié skorsing deur die Internasionale Krieketraad (IKR) kom soos ‘n skoot koue water nadat die jonge Rabada in die afgelope twee toetswedstryde teen Australië vuurwarm met die bal was. By tye wou dit selfs voorkom asof die nuwe Protea-wonderkind eiehandig die Australiese kolwers, in die tweede toets, op hul tone gehou het. Rabada het in die toets in Port Elizabeth syfers van 11 paaltjies vir 150 lopies behaal, al hoe meer merkwaardig gemaak deur die kwaliteit van kolwers wat Rabada terug kleedkamers toe gestuur het. Die 22-jarige Rabada is egter skuldig gevind deur die IKR vir ‘n vlaktwee oortreding van ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player’.
Dít volg nadat Rabada die Australiër Steve Smith se skouer netnet geraak het terwyl hy dié kolwer se paaltjie gevier het. Rabada het tydens Australië se tweede kolfbeurt wéér die IKR-polisie se oog getrek toe hy die bouler David Warner se paaltjie gevier het. Dié keer is sy gedrag gebrandmerk as potensieel uittartend. In ‘n wêreld waar toetskrieket moet veg vir oorlewing teen die geld en aksie van die korter formate van die sport, is die laaste ding wat ondersteuners sal verwag dat die nommer een toetsbouler in die wêreld uit ‘n reeks geskors word tussen twee van krieket se grootste teenstanders. Rabada het die skorsing met ‘n merkwaardige nederigheid en grasie aanvaar. Dieselfde kan egter nie van ‘n groot gros ondersteuners, wat duidelik hul misnoeë verwoord het nie, gesê word nie. Rabada se afwesigheid gaan ongetwyfeld ‘n groot impak hê op die twee oorblywende toetse.
Krieket Suid-Afrika het aangekondig dat hul regsadvies gaan inwin rakend die skorsing van sy nommer-een bouler, maar dit lyk op dié stadium nie of daar veel van gaan kom nie. Ondersteuners sal waarskynlik sien hoe Morné Morkel Rabada se plek in die span inneem op Nuweland. Die toetsreeks is sover gelykop en Suid-Afrika se boulers sal moet uithaal en wys as hulle die Australiërs wil klop. Die IKR se missie is om swak gedrag te ontmoedig, maar dit laat die vraag ontstaan: Is daar ‘n punt waar dinge te ver gevat word? Die toetsreeks teen die besoekende Indiese span wat oor die Nuwejaars-tydperk plaasgevind het, het nét soveel aggressie en passie ten toon gestel, en kaptein Virat Kohli het homself meer as een keer in die spervuur geplaas. Kohli was egter ook telkens op die voorpunt om ‘n Suid Afrikaanse kolwer op ‘n goeie kolfbeurt geluk te wens. Soms wil dit voorkom asof die manne van Doer Onder eerder hier is om uit-
Kagiso Rabada
tartend te wees as om handig met die wilgerlat te wees. Wat in die volgende twee toetse gaan gebeur sonder Rabada, is enigiemand se raaiskoot. Maar dit is sekerlik nie die einde van die drama nie. Lesers kan seker wees dat Nova Mentis daar sal wees om almal op hoogte te hou van die nuutste gebeure in die Nuweland toets wat op 22 Maart begin.