Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-05-29 i Mercury

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said almost 1 million people had cast special votes by yesterday afternoon. However, the commission’s chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo, said yesterday that they remained concerned about incidents of unlawful conduct directed at its operations or against electoral officials. “We urge all South Africans, including political party members, supporters, and ordinary citizens, to allow electoral officials to carry out their responsibilities. The commission thanks the law enforcement agencies for their support and continued safeguard of the electoral process.” Mamabolo said South Africans cast special votes at 22 626 voting stations and during home visits over the past two days. More than 1.7 million people had registered for special votes. “At a point in the course of this afternoon, indications were that 937…

It’s election day, a critical day that will decide the future of the country. And we, the voters, have a crucial role to play in deciding who will be entrusted with the most important task of running the government. It’s a simple cross but it will decide the fate of the country and its people. When we walk into the polling booth, we have a huge responsibility to use our votes wisely to make democracy flourish in our country. We cannot be ignorant. We have witnessed first-hand how in the past 30 years, the government has messed up this beautiful land, making it one of the most corrupt and dangerous places on Earth. Don’t be a lickspittle, like Ebrahim Essa who, despite knowing what untold harm the ANC has caused…

This week, South Africans worldwide will be confronted with a choice: to vote or not. The freedom of democracy bestows upon everyone that choice. The clarion call remains for every registered citizen who is eligible to vote to go and cast a vote; this is your privilege and right. The feast of Pentecost has concluded for Christians. Pentecost takes place 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The celebration is, in essence, about empowering people by the power of God. The baton of leadership was passed on to people of all walks of life gathered on the day of Pentecost, to take the message of good news and hope of the resurrected Christ to everyone. Followers of Jesus Christ were empowered to take ownership and responsibility of sharing the…

A number of flu strains currently circulating are causing severe health complications in some patients. This was, however, being confused with a Covid-19 variant which had been in circulation with “low levels of transmissibility and severity”, the National Health Department said. “About 8 to 10% of patients hospitalised for pneumonia and 25% of patients with flu-like illness (fever and cough) will test positive for influenza during the flu season in South Africa,” department spokesperson Foster Mohale said. “According to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) surveillance data, the numbers of influenza cases and positivity rates are increasing rapidly, but the transmission and impact remain at a moderate level of activity for both outpatient and hospitalised cases. This means that while there is a lot of influenza circulating, it is…

AfriForum says it will discuss the possibility of turning to the Constitutional Court after it failed in its Supreme Court of Appeal application over a complaint of hate speech against the EFF for singing the song Dubula ibhunu. Justice Halima Saldulker dismissed the appeal application after AfriForum’s complaint was dismissed in the Equality Court. The literal English translation of the Struggle song is “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer”. In a statement, AfriForum said the judgment had “let farmers down (and) emphasises the importance of taking safety into one’s own hands”. The hate speech complaint by AfriForum centred, in the main, on the song, which was sung by EFF’s president, Julius Malema, and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. AfriForum pointed to six occasions on which Malema had chanted the song, albeit that on…

THE election season peaks today when millions of South Africans head to the voting stations to make their X. Since the turn of the year, political parties have been declaring war against each other and making all sorts of promises – but now it’s in the hands of the voters. However, the big question is who will be named president after the votes are counted later this week. Top contender in the green, black and yellow of the ANC is incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa. Deemed a hero and saviour heading into his first presidential term, he was found wanting during the Covid-19 pandemic when the country needed a decisive leader. Despite surviving the Phala Phala robbery scandal, the people have lost faith in him. Next is DA leader John Steenhuisen.…

SOUTH Africa were handed a 3-0 series whitewash by West Indies last week in Jamaica. As much as it is never ideal to lose matches going into World Cups, the series saw an inexperienced SA side take on a seasoned West Indies outfit in their own backyard. Apart from Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen, there wasn't any real experience in the 15-man squad as most of the players were touring the Caribbean for the first time. As a result, four debutants in Ryan Rickelton, Ottneil Baartman, Nqabayomzi Peter and Patrick Kruger were handed their maiden T20I caps in Kingston. “(My) assessment of the series? Obviously it was a tough one. Both teams (were) missing some key players,” Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter said yesterday. “It was still…

AN environmental organisation said it is disappointed by the Central Energy Fund’s (CEF) decision to purchase the Sapref refinery in the south of Durban, saying the facility should be decommissioned due to the pollution it has caused. Labour union Cosatu also weighed in on the purchase, saying workers’ jobs must be prioritised at all costs. The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) said the facility should be shut down permanently because of the environmenatal degradation it has caused. The Sapref facility in Merebank has been out of operation since 2022.Desmond D’sa, chairperson of the SDCEA, said he is disappointed by the purchase by CEF. “Sapref has been polluting the Durban South area for 70 years and has caused chronic asthma and even cancer. It’s not fair that the government has…

HOORAY, hooray, Election Day, Outdoor snogging starts today … WELL, the authorities have declared it a public holiday and the weather is beautiful. Take full advantage, folks! But, of course, first there’s the duty to vote before enjoying an unplanned day off in this wonderful weather and in the company of the beautiful gals that inhabit our beaches. Voting is my first errand today. After that the beach (or maybe the Berg)… and the gals. Smoochy-smooch. You never know where that leads. Viva democracia! In retrospect YES, Election Day. In by now far-off days, it was an occasion for huge celebration at the rugby and other sportsclubs. Reason? All the pubs were closed, as a precaution against voters arriving at the polling station sloshed and not in a…

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies expresses its revulsion at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s introduction of a call to exterminate Jews from their homeland, at the ANC final Siyanqoba election rally on Saturday. The president of the governing ANC party and the head of state of a democratic country has called for the elimination of the only Jewish State, in the culmination of the ANC president’s election speech made to thousands of ANC members and on national television. He uses the populist slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, which is widely regarded as a call to genocide of the Jewish people. The call to remove all Jews from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea equates to removing all Jews from Israel. The slogan and its…

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s historic request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders counts as the first time that an ICC prosecutor has ever gone after leaders of a Western country or one of its close links. Although this ICC application against an Israeli leader is notable, it does not necessarily mean that this is the first-time apartheid Israel has committed war crimes. There were gross criminalities to investigate apartheid Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity before October 7, 2023, but sadly, the ICC, ICJ, UN and global leaders ignored such red flags. The failure to act against apartheid Israel over the past many decades is testimony to the lack of usefulness of these international systems. With the rising of conscious driven individuals and human rights organisations, apartheid Israel…

Collaboration between the North West and the Gauteng Department of Health has led to the success of the first open-heart surgery at Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital. On Friday, a cohort of medical experts from Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) teamed up to conduct the surgery on 38-year-old Martha Vanstawel, a cardiac patient since 2006. Vanstawel continued to suffer from mitral regurgitation (a leaking valve) with a sub-mitral aneurysm, which is the abnormal swelling of the heart in layman’s terms, despite surgery being recommended as early as 2006. However, the patient was not emotionally ready. The team of medics was spearheaded by head of cardiothoracic surgery Dr Tumi Taunyane, and head of anaesthesia Dr Palesa Motshabi Chakane from CMJAH. From Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital was thoracic surgeon Dr Akin Ogunrombi, and…

Revolutionary spirit of political consciousness has slowly decayed in townships In April 2023, independent political and social commentator Siyabonga Hadebe wrote about the fall from grace of South Africa after 1994. This opinion stems from engagements with Hadebe regarding this apparent phenomenon. While we can look at the state of townships in terms of alcohol prevalence and crime rate, the alarming decline of social and political consciousness in townships speaks volumes. This analysis is more of a critical reflection of youth activism today than an opinion piece based on theoretical frameworks. Elections are upon us in South Africa, and it is clear as day that the youth of today are somewhat alienated from today’s politics. One of the biggest challenges currently is motivating young people to vote. According to the…

Former Springbok captain and No 8 Bob Skinstad believes that Evan Roos’ confrontational style is “not a problem in the long run” for him to become a stalwart in the national team. Following Duane Vermeulen’s retirement and Jasper Wiese’s six-match suspension for foul play, the South African No 8 jersey is up for grabs for the opening Tests of the year against Wales and Ireland. And while Japan-based Kwagga Smith said at the weekend that he has recovered from a serious groin injury and is fit to play, Skinstad feels that Roos has done enough for the Stormers to warrant strong consideration from Bok boss Rassie Erasmus. The world champions kick off their year against Wales in London on June 22, followed by Tests against Ireland in Pretoria and Durban…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deployment of SANDF soldiers to assist police preserve law and order during the election period. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said last night that Ramaphosa has informed the National Assembly that 2 828 members of the SANDF will be employed for service in co-operation with the SAPS for the prevention and combating of crime and for the maintenance and preservation of law and order during the national and provincial elections. “President Ramaphosa has informed the acting Speaker of the National Assembly and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces that the employment of SANDF personnel will form part of Operation Prosper and applies from May 20 to June 7, 2024. “This employment is authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 201(2) (a)…

Much occurs when people meet. Within milliseconds the drawbridge – we each have one – may go down with a hearty welcome or remain up and sealed shut. There may be Immediate comfort or discomfort, or levels of both. Suspicions may be endorsed or deleted. Information and misinformation transmission occurs at a speedy rate. We read and misread one another constantly, all within the backdrop of our experiences and training, our hurts, pains, goals, and desires, known and unknown. The accent (if one party is not from “here”) is loaded with meaning. Clothes (anything unusual); laid-back or dominant stance; voice tone, volume, intonations; levels of energy or lack thereof, are cumulatively processed. Triggers can be triggered. Stereotypes ignited. Warmth flows, or doesn’t. The wave, the handshake, the hug, smile or…

IT WAS like a breath of fresh air to read that Spain, Ireland and Norway have opted to recognise Palestine. The question, however, is: What took them so long? Following the 1967 annexation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza by Israel, the Palestinians have basically been in captivity in Gaza after having been herded there like sheep. What took 57 years and this war of attrition to wake the West up to the fact that Palestinians have a legal and moral right to have real freedom? That Israel will remain in place is a fact of life, albeit with clipped wings insofar as Palestine is concerned. Israel exists only by the good grace of the US. America is sick and tired of the unrest in the Middle East…

What a dignified way to close the first chapter of our democracy. Progress was made and mistakes were made. But the most important thing is that, as South Africans, we were able to rise above all the debilitating challenges that, at times, threatened to test the strength of our democracy and our ability to survive the diversity of our many political ideologies, to emerge victorious and united – think of the July 2021 riots. As various political parties held their closing election rallies, as a last attempt to woo voters, uppermost in my mind was the fact that, come today, as we go to the polls, some or most of them will be disappointed. All of us are beginning to doubt if the vision of most opposition parties is achievable…

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) said there has been a significant increase in the number of arrests of bogus medical practitioners by the Inspectorate Office in the 2023/2024 financial year. Two of these bogus practitioners, who the HPCSA says posed a serious risk to public health and safety, were recently arrested in Durban. HPCSA spokesperson Priscilla Sekhonyana said that during the 2023/24 financial year, 24 illegal medical practitioners were arrested nationwide. Detailing the most recent incident, Sekhonyana said a 39-year-old woman was arrested in the Durban central area for practising as a medical practitioner while unregistered with the council. Sekhonyana said members of the Inspectorate Office of the HPCSA, in collaboration with law enforcement officials, had investigated a complaint they received about the woman. “The investigation also…

THE South African government has joined several countries and organisations in condemning Israel after an airstrike that killed more than 40 people including children at a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians in a designated safe zone in Rafah. The attack came two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to end its military offensive in Rafah. It is reported that more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population had sought shelter before Israel’s incursion into Rafah. The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) yesterday said the continued attacks on innocent civilians posed an extreme risk, including to humanitarian supplies, basic services in Gaza, the survival of the Palestinian medical system, and the survival of people. “The current conditions confirm that South Africa is justified for approaching the…

THE last census, conducted in 2021, revealed that 63% of South Africa’s population is made up of younger people aged between 15 and 34. With the voting age being 18 and focusing on the national and provincial government elections this week, naturally, young people have an instrumental role to play in who governs this country. The face of South African politics does not reflect our demographics. Young people are shut out of opportunities and are often used as voting fodder. They are a great source of mobilisation and awareness for political parties, but when the time comes for them to occupy decision-making spaces, they are often overlooked. A lot has been said about “2024 being our 1994”, but who is the “our” being referred to? It is young people. During…

Tshegofatso Mabasa has ample belief in his qualities, so much so that he’s always known that it was only a matter of time before he was living up to expectations at Orlando Pirates. Mabasa finished as the DStv Premiership’s top goalscorer this season, finding the net 16 times between spells at Pirates and Moroka Swallows. The 27-year-old was on loan at Swallows for the first half of the season, scoring six goals, before returning to Pirates in January where he scored the rest. Mabasa’s return to Pirates has also seen him score three goals and register two assists in the Nedbank Cup, in which the Sea Robbers face Mamelodi Sundowns in the final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. For his contribution in the Cup, the Botshabelo-born striker has been nominated…