RESIDENTS UP IN ARMS OVER POOR SERVICE DELIVERY

The residents of Kouga Municipality in the Eastern Cape are hoping that a protest to be staged on Wednesday, 12 September, at the council offices in Jeffrey's Bay, will provoke a positive reaction in improving local service delivery, which has reached an all-time low.

Numerous requests to the local governing body to attend to the rapidly deteriorating infrastructure have met with little success and residents are left with no choice but to make themselves visibly heard via protest action.

The unacceptable state of affairs experienced in parts of Kouga is merely part of a widespread phenomenon plaguing the country. Only 7 out of around 237 municipalities received a clean audit from the Auditor-General and, despite this, the situation in most parts of the country seems to be getting worse instead of improving.

Regarding the protest on Wednesday, the following is a statement from St Francis Bay Residents' Association secretary, Jacky Green:

"We will be gathering at the beach front (Dais Rd) at 9: 30 am to march on the municipal offices at 10:00 am. We will march up Oosterland Street to the municipal offices in Da Gama Road.

"A local company has offered a 32-seater bus for those without transport. It will depart at 8:45 am from God's Acre in Tarragona Street, Sea Vista. Those with transport are urged to please assist by going to God's Acre to ferry people to the march. If you are an employee, please give your staff time off to attend the march."

This is but the latest in a litany of protests countrywide calling on the government to provide capable leadership and effective service delivery.

MARIKANA CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT

Below is a Civil Society Statement pertaining to the recent tragic killings at Marikana and issued by an alliance of human rights organisations.


A DEMAND FOR JUSTICE AND THE TRUTH

3 September 2012

We are human rights organisations that seek to protect and promote the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (the Constitution). We stand for the interests of the poor and marginalised and believe our Constitution’s greatest strength is its promise of equality and the advancement of the political, social and economic rights of the poor.

The Marikana massacre is a defining moment in our history and cannot be allowed to pass without establishing the full truth, ensuring justice and providing redress for the victims and their families.

We are outraged by the emerging evidence of targeted killings at Marikana. The Marikana massacre and the subsequent callous responses of both Lonmin and several representatives of the state, violate the very spirit of our Constitution and undermine the rights to life, freedom of expression, association, dignity and equality. A failure to ensure justice for the mineworkers, their wives, partners and families, both at an individual and institutional level, will deal an unprecedented blow to South Africa’s democracy.

As organisations committed to social justice and the protection of human rights we state the following:

Background to the Killings

We note that the Marikana massacre is part of an emerging pattern of violence and unlawful conduct by elements within the police. It is part of a continuum that runs through the killing of Andries Tatane and provides growing evidence of excessive use of force and a lack of training, preparedness and leadership resulting in police violence against the poor.

The massacre is also symptomatic of the growing strain on the industrial relations system and a lack of leadership, which are pushing many strikes into violent confrontations.

The killings occurred in a context of systemic failures, including low wages, appalling and dangerous working conditions and sub-human living conditions. These are characteristic of many mines throughout South Africa and, in particular, on the platinum belt.

We believe that the indifference of mine executives and investors to the impoverished conditions in and around the workplace ought to have consequences. For too long corporate abuse has gone unpunished, with unsustainable approaches ending in mine closures and destitute workers.

Police Conduct and Integrity of Investigations after the Killings

We are extremely concerned at the mismanagement of the processing of the crime scene. This has severe consequences for the availability and quality of evidence and impedes the pursuit of truth and justice.

We stress the need to protect the independence and integrity of post-mortem examinations of all the deceased, the findings and that of any other necessary forensic investigations, including into alleged torture and ill-treatment of detained miners.

Charging Arrested Mineworkers with Murder


We condemn the charges of murder through the common purpose doctrine that were brought and then withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

We call for the immediate release of all those arrested pending proper, impartial and transparent police investigations.

We are alarmed at reports of torture of detainees, condemn any such occurrence in the strongest terms and urge the necessary independent authorities speedily to investigate and take any necessary action against such conduct.

We condemn any failure by the prison authorities to ensure that medical treatment is available to detainees. We have requested the Inspecting Judge of Prisons to investigate urgently reports that detainees are being denied access to essential medicines. This is unlawful.

We are concerned about the continuous postponements of proceedings in court, at the expense of those who remain in prison for unnecessarily long periods of time.
We are concerned at the failure to ensure that all those who were facing charges were present in the Magistrate’s Court to hear the proceedings concerning their own futures.

The Judicial Commission of Enquiry

We welcome the appointment of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry, led by Judge Farlam, but we:

Are concerned that its Terms of Reference do not adequately allow for an investigation into the complexity of the incident;

Require an opportunity to comment on the scope and content of the Terms of Reference, particularly in light of new evidence emerging;

Believe that the Commission will need to maximise transparency and seek ways to engage with extremely distressed, angry and sceptical community members to ensure that all voices are heard and trust is restored;

Urge the Commission to support witnesses who have been through traumatic experiences or may fear intimidation.

We affirm the commitment of our collective organisations to the goals of:

Ensuring that the miners, their families and others affected by the violence have access to justice. We have and will provide legal assistance and advice, including trauma counselling and other forms of psycho-social support, to mineworkers, their partners and the affected communities should they request it;

Upholding the rights of miners working in South Africa to bargain for decent wages, benefit from the wealth of the mines and enjoy dignified and acceptable working and living conditions;

Collating information, reporting and challenging all acts of torture, violence and intimidation against detainees, survivors, miners, family and/or community members;

If necessary, conducting, supporting and publicising independent investigations.

We demand that:

No witness, survivor or miner is intimidated;

All involved parties are held to account where appropriate, including police, business, government and trade unions.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Enquiry

We welcome the IPID investigation into police conduct but believe:


That it must lead to an inquest or appropriate investigation into each individual death;

That it must not preclude individual investigations and prosecutions;

That the IPID must sustain comprehensive monitoring of police conduct in the area
henceforth;

That the IPID must be given the space and resources to conduct its work independently and openly.

The Role of the Business Community

It is not enough for denunciation of these killings to come from civil society, trade unions and concerned citizens. Organised business must also condemn the killings and make a commitment to paying mineworkers a living wage and ending the apartheid-like conditions in which mineworkers continue to live and work.

The Chamber of Mines is morally culpable for the crisis.

We call on shareholders and investors in the mining industry and, in particular, the platinum belt, to add their voices to this outrage and demand more from the entities in which they invest.

Defending our Democracy

We condemn all forms of violence and support all peaceful social mobilisation, including the work of the Marikana Solidarity Campaign, and the day of action on the 8th September to ensure that never again is our democracy so tainted.

This statement is endorsed by the following organisations:

Amnesty International South Africa

Centre for Applied Legal Studies

Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation

Equal Education Law Centre

Human Rights Media Trust

Lawyers for Human Rights

Legal Resources Centre

Marikana Solidarity Campaign

RAITH Foundation

SECTION27

Social Justice Coalition

Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa

Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute

Treatment Action Campaign

THE BIG ISSUE - A PLEA

Friend and colleague, Caryn Gootkin, issued this plea today on behalf of the publication The Big Issue. Aside from telling news content, the publication's motivation is to provide employment for the marginalised in our society. Please consider what you can do, if only to spread the word about the crisis faced by this fine initiative.

I’ve been involved with The Big Issue for over a decade. I can therefore personally vouch for the integrity of the organisation and its staff, and for the life-changing service they offer to the vulnerable and marginalised in our society.

Despite this, those of you who know me well will realise that writing emails like this one does not come naturally to me and that I wouldn’t do so if the situation wasn’t dire.

TBI survives partly on fundraising and partly on earned income from advertising in and sales of the magazine. In our current economic climate all three of these streams are running dry. Our MD, Trudy Vlok, whom I’ve copied on this mail, is currently filling two full-time roles as she is sole fundraiser on top of running the organisation. Despite her continued efforts, the funder’s budgets are getting tighter and tighter and, as I’m sure you’ve read, TBI is not the only NGO affected. Those of you in the publishing world will know that similarly advertisers are cutting their costs too. The crunch affects our readers too and sales are dropping despite the high quality, thought-provoking read The Big Issue has become.

This appeal, however, is not for the organisation itself, nor its staff. I appeal to you on behalf of the vendors: the men and women who have come to TBI as a last resort when they had nowhere else to turn. They courageously brave the elements and the disparaging attitudes of some people to be at their pitch day in and day out, trying to put food on their table without having to beg.

If TBI can’t pay its staff, which is the reality it faces at the moment, there will be nobody to produce the magazine and nobody to provide the essential social support services to the vendors. The knock-on effect will be enormous.

Please, I’m appealing to you from the bottom of my heart, help the Big Issue. Pass this email on to anyone you think may be able to help. You are welcome to speak to Trudy on 021-461-6690 or 083-973-9232 or mail her on trudyv@eject.co.za. The Big Issue is always open to trade exchanges and advertising deals.

But, if you are simply a member of the public with a desire to make a difference, let me know and I’ll send you the bank details. (Please use CRISIS PLEA and your name as a reference and email Trudy a copy of the deposit slip and your details so that she can thank you personally. )

Let’s save this organisation that performs such a vital role in the lives of so many South Africans.

Thanks

Caryn

TELL ME I DON'T HAVE A LOVELY DAUGHTER

JOURNALIST BETH HOWELL

PUSSY RIOT DETENTION EXTENDED

You don' stomp on Superman's cape

You don' spit into the wind

You don' mess around with that ol' Lone Ranger

And you don' mess around with Putin

A FESTIVAL LIKE NO OTHER

Reflecting the richness and diversity of South Africa's cultural tapestry, the National Arts Festival is set once again to entertain, astound and invigorate in its 38th year.

The popular and inspiring National Arts Festival returns to the traditionally quiet, Victorian and intellectual city of Grahamstown bringing the customary - and always unprecedented - excitement and bustle in its wake, as visitors and artists make their annual pilgrimage from the rest of South Africa and the world to celebrate the finest in artistic endeavour.

Taking place from 28 June to 8 July, it has been dubbed South Africa's cultural crucible offering the established artist significant public exposure - and unknown talent the opportunity for discovery. It has become renowned as a springboard for artistic excellence.

Seeking to impart the resounding and unforgettable vibrancy the Festival generates, the slogan for this year's event is aptly named '11 Days of Amaz!ng'. Here is a sample of what to expect from this extraordinary show.

Theatre

The 2012 Main Theatre programme boasts two world premieres and a list of world-class productions.

The Blue Iris

Athol Fugard's latest work is billed a love story of tender and personal revelations.

Trapped

A drama - and the first play-script of Princess Zinzi Mhlongo, winner of the 2012 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Drama.

Little Foot

Described as a multi-media event that promises to be a unique piece of storytelling, actor Neil Coppen continues to challenge the boundaries of contemporary South African theatre in Craig Higginson's latest play. It is due to be performed at the National Theatre in London before the 2012 Olympics.

Manolibera

Actors interact with the characters and become part of the story in this multi-award winning production by Italian-based company Scarlettine Teatro, who take their audience into the world of the comic book.

Red

John Logan's 2010 Tony Award winning play explores the creative process and inner conflict of famous American artist Mark Rothko.

Race

Race, sex, lies, class, shame and guilt feature in the Playhouse Company's production of David Mamet's fast-paced play.

This year, the National Arts Festival will present the biggest Fringe offering in its 38-year history. An estimated 390 Fringe productions are expected during '11 Days of Amaz!ng' and with an average of 295 productions showing on any one of the 11 days, theatre-going audiences will be spoilt for choice. Among street theatre, outstanding musicians, art exhibitions, the Village Green craft market and pop-up restaurants and stalls one cannot but be comprehensively entertained.

Dance

Contemporary dance is given more exposure at this year's Festival, with a rich tapestry of international influences and a space for young, cutting-edge choreographers to display their potential.

Baily Snyman explores the fears, anxieties and denial of militarised gay people in the sensitive production Moffie. It is billed as delving into both the historical and contemporary understandings of homosexuality in the armed forces.

Two pieces, considered a key turning point in the history of dance, Pudique Acide and Extasis, are presented by French choreographers Mathilde Monnier and Jean-Francois Duroure in a double bill duo.

Cutting edge digital art and evocative stage design feature in Inter.Fear - a production by Athena Mazarakis and Hansel Nezza, who explore fear in its various facets in our contemporary lives.

Two other productions likely to appeal are Cape Town City Ballet's Giselle and Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture's Rhythms of the Eastern Cape, a production signifying the regional government's commitment to preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge systems and culture.

Award-winning artists' productions

Jeffrey Jay Fowler directs Hope is the Saddest, a bittersweet story of a childlike young woman who draws all her life lessons from the lyrics of Dolly Parton.

Amsterdam Fringe's award-winning 2011 production Bye Bye World features Anne Gehring and Vera Katelaars dealing with an upheaval in their perfectly normal lives.

An evolving relationship between two men into a deep, lasting, unexpected and little understood friendship is the subject of Janna Ramos-Violante's Callum's Will.

Tara Notcutt, James Cairns, Albert Pretorious and Rob van Vuuren deliver a dark but delightfully twisted psychological thriller in an unexpected take on the classic children's story The Three Little Pigs.

Among the best of solo theatre is likely to be:

Conversation with Pieter-Dirk EISH - featuring the doyen of South African political satire, Pieter-Dirk Uys.

Thembi Mtshali-Jones in Mother to Mother - a portrayal of the tragic killing of Amy Biehl.

Omphie Molusi in Itsoseng - a damning indictment of government indifference and cynicism.

David Butler as Herman Charles Bosman in the delightful character ensemble Post Office.

Sunday Morning - James Cunningham makes a gruesome life-changing discovery.

Musical items to consider are:

Award-winning South African soprano Kelebogile Boikanyo.

The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra performing Camille Saint-Saens and Paul Dukas.

Chanticleer Singers - music inspired by the indigenous peoples of South Africa.

Stunning Armstrong classics by Prince Lengoasa and friends in Louis Armstrong & Friends.

Two Trios and a Quintet - virtuoso string, percussion and wind ensemble.

Space does not permit a comprehensive list of the outstanding array of artistic talent that will grace the 2012 National Arts Festival. Each year the base expands and provides a laudable platform to encourage eager and aspiring artists to excel and carve a niche on the global stage.

The vibrant, pulsating spirit produced by the energetic artists and collective throngs is an endearing and lasting testimony to the beautiful undercurrents of the nation in its celebration and enjoyment of Art.

A TALE OF TWO MEMBERS

I was interested to learn that former crime boss, alleged fraudster and purveyor of nepotistic favour, Richard (I needn't remind you of the shortened version of the name) Mdluli, is on sick leave suffering from emotional stress. This could be the reason why he is so often seen behind sunglasses.

But my interest was really piqued by the fact that if this is true, certain investigations may be getting close to the bone forcing the embattled soul into hiding. Whatever the reason, it seems this artful dodger doesn't want to be seen officially hanging around at present - in the way his esteemed friend and crony has been doing on canvas of late looking not unlike an aloe in full, virile bloom albeit somewhat wilted.

Speaking of which, that dangling member has given not a little offence to the ruling party (an organisation of delicate sensitivity when it suits) whose presidential spokesperson, Mac Maharaj (he of fox terrier proclivities), was 'amazed' at how the artist (God bless him) denigrated the holy 'person and office of the president'.

How a self-enriching humbug can be denigrated escapes me - as it did obviously City Press editor Ferial Haffajee who, with a swift kick to the genitalia in question, was reported saying the esteemed president has done more to impugn his own dignity than any artist ever could. It seems like vitriol and vilification run like water off rogues' backs but humiliation - that is clearly another matter.

All this fiasco might just suggest some hope for South Africa at Mangaung - and I cannot wait for Zapiro's take on the spear of destiny.