Sunday, 28 June 2015
Thursday, 11 June 2015
Foodie Review: MyCafe Jwa at Erina Fair, NSW Australia
I wished that I had more time - I would have definitely ended my meal with something sweet from their selection of baked goods. Next time!
Thank you for a pleasant dining experience guys, I will most definitely be back for another taste of something yummy from MyCafe Jwa!
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Friday, 29 May 2015
SOUTH AFRICA: State Custodianship And Control Over All Agricultural Land. Bill About To Be Passed.
"Essentially the same constraints apply to medium potential land, defined to include all agricultural land other than high potential cropping land. The main difference is that the relevant approvals must generally be provided by the provincial MEC for agriculture, acting in conjunction with a new 'municipal internal technical committee' and its provincial counterpart.
Various additional constraints apply to land of all kind, whether high or medium potential. In particular, agricultural land may not be sold to a foreign individual or company without the consent of the minister, acting on the recommendation of the national internal technical committee.
In addition, all farmers must use their land to 'its optimum agricultural potential' (in accordance with guidelines to be developed by the minister), failing which the minister may expropriate it 'at a lower price' than would be paid for land which is being optimally used.
In creating a plethora of committees (and other) structures, the Bill will generate many more jobs for the politically connected. It will also provide a foundation for ever more state meddling, and empower the minister to control the 'right to farm' by means of regulation."
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
#RhodesMustFall: Outcome and Process Going Forward
I'll be watching this process with keen interest!
__________________________
In the wake of recent protest actions over statues and symbols that many viewed as honoring South Africa's colonial legacy‚ the government has proposed plans to handle the fate of the remaining statues and symbols countrywide.
In March protests erupted at the University of Cape Town following the launch of the #RhodesMustFall campaign on social media.
This was initially sparked by student Chumani Maxwele throwing sewage over the statue of Cecil John Rhodes which stood prominently in the university premises.
The statue was eventually removed as a result.
However‚ the sentiment over "colonial statues" later spread countrywide and resulted in debates over whether the country still needs to have them‚ which ones needed to be removed and which ones should be left standing.
The government's proposed plan is set to include the appointment of a task team to ensure the acceleration of the process of identification‚ consultation and relocation of statues for a period of between a minimum of three years and a maximum of not more than five years.
An audit of existing names‚ symbols and sites will be made to identify those that are considered offensive. These will need to be changed within a specified period.
In the instances where there may be a need for disposal of some of the symbols and statues‚ proper disposal processes and guideline policies will be designed.
A monitoring and evaluation unit will be tasked with an oversight role to ensure that objectives are met‚ requisite processes are followed and complied with.
An awareness campaign will be launched to implement a series of vigorous public education and awareness creation campaigns.
This will focus on retained or changed names and statues and public education campaigns about these symbols countrywide.
A forum for public dialogue‚ whose emphasis will be on public dialogue and consultative processes‚ will be set up to engage legal structures over these symbols and statues.
The establishment of a historical theme park to give a detailed history and narrative of the evolution of the South African society. Strong emphasis should be placed on foregrounding African civilization‚ history and influential figures.
A process to review and build the capacity for regulatory bodies at all levels of government will also be established.
A heroes' acre will also be built to house those selected leaders who fought for liberation and or contributed to the building of a new South African society.
Above all‚ the plan includes a special programme to be established to celebrate African history on the continental scale to affirm African identity‚ as an antidote for South African "exceptionalism".
Government also plans to conduct an intra-African dialogue to promote multi-cultural consciousness.
A special attention will be placed on the Khoi and San people.
The project's non-partisan criteria will encourage a recognition process that goes beyond political figures to include other change makers who contributed to nation building.
Monuments established will be inclusive to represent more than individuals or a particular culture.
Places of national or international importance will be subjected to a national consultative process than those in local municipalities for change or review.
Transformation of the heritage landscape will preferably be informed and replaced by all inclusive symbols or themes/categories such as justice‚ youth‚ women‚ peace and reconciliation.
- The Times
Regards,
Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com
PHILOSOPHY: Who Writes on Your Heart Screen
If they constantly tighten the net around you of what is allowed and what is not.
If they tell you that you are not worthy of respect, not worthy of empathy, not worthy of freedom - because of the level of melanin you were born into.
If you look back and see that the tide only ever flowed in one direction, and that it was your nets that were always emptied with no sharing from their boat...
It's time to cut loose and be free.
Know your value, don't let anyone write their issues onto the screen of your life.
Regards,
Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com
DIARY: Durban Motor Licensing Experience at Percy Osborne
Address: 284 Percy Osborne Rd,
Kwazulu Natal,
4001,
South Africa City of Durban
What an uplifting experience!
We are leaving South Africa for Australia in a weeks, time and so, had to get things in order, to sell our Stationwagon.
I am always nervous at testing grounds or govt departments - they remind me of the Principals office and always smell like those pink loo blocks - hygenically clean.
Too clean.
Squeaky clean and full of regulations and rules.
Well, all in all it was a stress free excursion, lots of helpful people (and one very handy security guard who stepped out of his way to assist us when the Enquiries personnel had stepped out of the office.) and pretty clear direction and efficient service : )
Quick, painless. Well done Percy Osborne team!
Regards,
Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
CRIME: Sandra Malcolm found hacked to death at her South African home | Daily Mail Online
I haven't seen any of this reported back home in South Africa... Nothing on Facebook.
DIARY: Packing Up House is Not For Sissies
How is it possible for one small family to amass such copious amounts of sh-t?? I'm astounded.
We all like to feel superior when watching shows like 'Hoarders' on TV, but the truth of the matter is that we spend our hard earned money on so much rubbish, packaging, small teeny tiny lego toys that get lodged in your underfoot at 2am when you try to walk gracefully to the loo. Small dolls that come with 10 TEENSYWEENSY accessories that soon become lost in the jumble of other tiny things in every nook and cranny of the childrens play area. Migod.
We are 90% packed up. Time for a cappucino, a deep breath, and the realisation that in a weeks time we will be spending our last night in Africa.
Sjoe.
Laat ons nou braai.
Regards,
Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com
Thursday, 16 April 2015
XENOPHOBIA: We Cannot Allow Our Humanity to Slip Away by Mmusi Maimane MP Parliamentary Leader of the DA
Release: Immediate
Note to Editors: The following speech was delivered by the DA Parliamentary Leader, Mmusi Maimane MP, during a National Assembly debate on the recent spate of xenophobic attacks.
Madam Speaker
Honourable Members
Over the past two weeks, South Africa has once again witnessed a wave of xenophobic attacks across our country, with our media being dominated by heart-breaking images of fellow Africans being subjected to the cruellest treatment.
I recall an image I saw this week that really touched me as a husband and parent. The image was of a mother and father, fleeing an angry mob, carrying their children to safety.
My heart goes out to those foreign nationals. Growing up in Soweto, I have seen the capability of humans to inflict violence on one another.
I have seen people being beaten and necklaced, and their property destroyed. These are images I will never forget, and I pray my children will never have to witness first-hand.
Our humanity is slipping away from us, and we cannot allow that. We cannot stand by as fellow human beings are tortured and murdered.
I understand the frustration being felt by South Africans, especially unemployed youth, who struggle to access opportunities to improve their lives.
Jobs are scarce. Our economy continues to exclude millions of South Africans.
But to focus this anger and frustration on a small group of foreign nationals who have become unfairly vilified and victimised does not address the cause of that frustration.
We must not turn xenophobia into a political football. We must not shy away from the root causes of the problem either.
The root of this problem lies in our inability to bring about economic growth and decrease the inequality that plagues our nation.
Unemployment currently stands at 36.1%. Two out of every three unemployed people are young people.
Many of these young people come from communities that were disadvantaged under Apartheid and grew up without access to quality education.
In every community I visit I meet with young men and women who share the same story of economic exclusion.
It is the hopelessness that results from unemployment that drives drug use and criminality in these communities, and underlies xenophobic attacks.
But while these factors may help to explain the situation, they cannot be used as an excuse for resorting to violence and criminality. There can be no justification for human beings inflicting pain and suffering on other human beings.
Instead of acknowledging these socio-economic root causes of the tension in our communities, there are people in powerful positions attempting to shift the blame and even condone criminality and xenophobia.
We must never forget that during the dark days of Apartheid, African nations opened their borders to South Africans involved in the struggle for freedom. Yet now we vilify those who flee persecution and oppression and make them the scapegoats for the rage we feel from economic exclusion.
We need an immigration policy that recognises the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers based on our commitment to the "International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families". And we need to make sure that our borders are protected so that those who seek to make a life in our country do so through the correct processes and procedures.
But, if we want to solve the root causes of xenophobia, we need to address the issue of unemployment. We need to support the growth of small businesses and create jobs.
Small businesses owners are key to growing our economy, but we need to make sure that they are given the support to do so. We need to make it easier for those with good ideas and ambition to get their enterprises off the ground.
In order to succeed, small businesses require capital to allow them to get off the ground, and the skills needed to manage a small business.
That is why the DA has advocated for the establishment of a National Venture Capital Fund to provide initial funding for start-ups and early-stage businesses. This will enable people to get access to capital to fund start-up enterprises.
We need to empower entrepreneurs. We can begin by teaching business skills in our schools. We must equip the young with basic knowledge of maths, accounting and economics, and educate them on how to maximise the power of collective buying.
And there needs to be a greater rollout of small business incubators where entrepreneurs can access and share resources in a supportive environment, and empower them through assisting with the cost of training and advisory services.
I understand the frustration of people on the ground. But regardless of the problems we face, we cannot allow people to brutalise others. Business owners are not the enemy.
The real enemy is a culture of corruption that takes from the poor and gives to the rich. A culture that reserves opportunites for the elite and excludes everybody else.
Speaker, if we work together to root out this culture, we stand a chance of ending xenophobia and restoring humanity in our society.
In 1994 President Mandela made a commitment that "Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another."
Let us honour his memory by honouring that dream.
Let us not forget our common humanity.
I thank you.
Regards,
Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com