Briefs
Cosatu condemns media on alleged Zuma rapeCosatu has joined the SACP in condemning the story in the Sunday Times on November 13 alleging that Jacob Zuma had raped a close family friend.Cosatu said that the information was based on “faceless sources” and “in this context …makes us smell a rat. It has all the hallmarks of what we have witnessed over the past five years. False stories are deliberately planted in the media at strategic moments. Then there follows a trial in the media and the passing of sentence on victims in the court of public opinion. This phenomenon has plunged our country and movement into the current crisis.”
RDP, GEAR and now Accelerated Share Growth Initiative (Asgi)Is it phansi or phambili Asgi?Watch this space!
Throughout the country in October this year the ANC convened branch general meetings (BGMs) where the masses elected their ward councillors for the next five years. The lobbying and canvassing amongst the ANC membership was the order of the day. Comrades were marketing themselves.The leaders who were in power were judged by membership according to their performance and accountability. One comrade from Ngwenduna Vanda Branch at Amatole region said: “We can speak any language in front of the membership but the people know who they want. Comrades who were in power do not accept the fact that they are outvoted.”But there is another angle as well. “Some local leaders look at this as a way to get a job, not to represent the people.”On November 4, several branches under the Amatole region, including those individuals that had been outvoted, marched to the offices of the ANC and presented their grievances. Amongst other things the marchers complained about the way these BGMs were conducted.The region and the Eastern Cape province held a meeting in King Williamstown to discuss these issues. The region promised to convene a meeting on November 6 but ANC representatives didn’t attend the meeting. The meeting is now rescheduled for November 17 where Pam Tshwete, the wife of the late Steve Tshwete will attend.The meeting will listen to those who were conducting these nomination meetings, and to the people who were elected.Meanwhile, the experience of the Amatole region is not unusual. The ANC reports that across the country, up to 70% of its serving municipal councillors have been rejected by their branches.
The power of X!
Numsa women are making themselves known in the local government elections next year.Ambi Maseko, an ex-Numsa shop steward is standing in Solomon Mahlangu Ward 75, in the local government elections next year.Chairperson of the ANC in this ward and living at the women’s hostel, B3 room 28 in Alex, she brings with her not only a good grounding in ANC politics but also many, many years of activism from Mawu days at Promex where she was a shop steward until she was retrenched in January this year.And if you are in Ward 13, Joe Qabe Protea Glen Extension 11, Noni Mpesi is standing. Mpesi is a Numsa shop steward and works at Kelly Baker Plastics, Booysens. Make your X count next year. Vote in the local government elections!