SKY NEWS is just that - news in the sky!

Today I will agree with some of the most discredited journalists and say "Let Africans tell their own stories". It was shocking to see SKY NEWS reporting the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament as not so glamorous! They reported transport as a "MAJOR" problem. Something that we in South Africa viewed as a minor problem that can certainly be worked on!

Just a few weeks ago they reported on a drag racing story which was totally off the mark. They portrayed "thugs" as good Samaritans. You would have to see the story to know what I am talking about. But the point I am trying to put across is that they should let us tell our own stories. They sent Europeans here to be on guard of anything wrong that happens here. If it is a positive story it is never accurate. The reason is because they don't know us. We have way too many people who do not speak English in this country. Some of us cannot express ourselves completely in this language. So chances of foreigners misquoting us are great!

BBC and CNN have South Africans who follow the news agenda here at home and I must be honest that they are always spot on with their angles. It was refreshing to see Blondie Makhene on BBC commenting on Michael Jackson's death. he is among the people who qualify to say he grew listening to the King of Pop.

Nkepile Mabuse, CNN correspondent based here recently had captivating story about rape in our townships.In that story she explains every piece of information for the readers and viewers to understand. She is South African and her subjects in her story did not all speak English. She did not directly translate their story but she put it in context. It was a true South African story told in its purest form.

SKY NEWS must just come down to earth and report stories as they are.

You voted now reap the (dry) fruits!

I know I am running the risk of over exaggerating government's obligations and also sounding slightly anti-ANC. Well, trust me, I am not. There is nothing wrong with wanting a government that reacts to its citizenry. That is the expectation of the electorate.

It is just not good enough that Dr Amos Motsoaledi acknowledged the short-comings of our health system. He must act! His Excellency President Jacob Zuma appointed a massive cabinet and this was certainly his bid to tie up all the loose ends. There are so many of them. I am starting to think that the minister, deputy ministers, premiers and their MECs are out of touch with what is going on with the people. They wouldn't know about the suffering of our people at the public health "care" centres because they receive private medical care. They have never experienced how tough it is to get to work using public transport simply because they chauffeur driven in expensive sometimes armoured cars.

Their children presumably go to expensive private schools. So, how can we expect service delivery? How!? I am fortunate to have gone through university and managed to land a job that pays medical aid. But I get depressed when I think that I pay tax. So why shouldn't I be receiving the best medical care in public hospitals. Tell me why!?

Maybe the Zuma administration inherited stressful load from the previous administration. Maybe that is the excuse we will be given when we ask tough questions.

There is a somber mood in our country. The recession has hit us all in a way we did not expect. It is the job of the government to put all of us at ease. Not by giving us money - but giving us values for our money. Simple as that! Do your job.

I hope South Africans will remember this time when we go to the polls in five years time. We certainly did not vote to reap the dry fruits. We can't afford runny stomachs all-year long. We don't have the infrastructure to handle that!

He shall reign forever!

This morning South Africa and other parts of the world woke up to the news of the death of pop music royalty. Michael Joseph Jackson died at the age of 50 just days before he was about to grace the world with what appeared to be 50 concerts to reclaim his throne as the King of Pop!

Like many South Africans I was still hung-over from the Confederations Cup match between Brazil and Bafana Bafana. At midnight, CNN was already running with the story of Michael Jackson presumed dead. He was later confirmed dead. This is a sad reminder of the death of Diana Princess of Whales. She was dubbed the queen of hearts despite the trials and tribulations of her marriage to Prince Charles. Michael Jackson had his fair share of controversy in the last years of his career and life. However, he is set to reign as the King of Pop forever.

We already have Usher, Neyo and many other artists who admired and still are inspired by this legend. Elvis Presley in the class of his own, is still royalty in showbiz. Michael Jackson will also be lucky enough to have many generations to come to spread his legacy.

The fact that he converted to Islam - may leave many fans around the world without closure as his burial may be hastily conducted. I however, hope that Allah, God, Phagwan, Elohim or whoever you call him will comfort his children, family and all of us that loved.

Brother Michael, rest in peace! Thanks be to the most high God who gave us the opportunity to come across this talented man. His music will especially keep us reminded of the glory of God which I believe shone through this man. This is despite the slander he suffered. He had been lost in the last days and we all live in hope that he was found and in the safe guard for the Angels in heaven.

Feminism, patriarchy and principles

The women’s rights movement brought with it new ideas about patriarchy. Feminist thinkers believed that patriarchy signified the cultural and social domination of women by men. Feminist thinkers questioned why sexual inequality persisted even after women had won the right to vote and had achieved legal equity. They also debated whether or not patriarchy is universal to all societies throughout history. But now that we embrace the emancipation of women, how do we curb the exploitation of this feminism.

In South Africa we have POWA or People Against Women Abuse. Apparently the phenomenon of women sleeping their way up to top jobs existed long before I even entered the corporate world. I am only writing about it now because I have just become a victim of this incident act, where I was overlooked for a position and it was given to someone whom everyone has judged as unqualified. There is evidence beyond reasonable doubt that this woman used or even abused her womanhood to undermine everyone. What does POWA then do when women abuse men in this manner.
I also do acknowledge that this is a double edged sword. There are men who prey on vulnerable females and solicit sexual favours in return for “emancipation” which should be free of charge. But in my mind, you would have to be totally unprincipled to fall prey to sex predators.

Virginia Woolfe, English writer and activist once wrote that the history of man’s opposition to women’s emancipation; is more interesting perhaps than the story of emancipation itself. I’ll just never know if she wrote this after she heard stories of how some women did to get to the top.
Reasonable or not, I am protesting against the abuse of men in the workplace. It is especially tragic for the hard working individuals who sacrifice so much for the advancement of their careers. I am talking about people who are responsible for the sterling, genuine, authentic and ethical production you sometimes see on TV. It won’t be everyday you see such good work, because we are now diluted with those women who still have the smell of the condom she used with the big boss. They usually know nothing. We get so preoccupied with how they smell before WE get them on track.

And then you will hear politicians and some of the execs who sleep with these women saying there is a desperate shortage of skills.

HELL ZILLE...OR HAIL ZILLE?

This is probably the most exciting times for our politics. The newsrooms a buzzing and I am enjoying the opinions of my fellow journalists. We all thought the storm will subside after the elections. The war of words between ANC and Hellen Zille calls for popcorn and a comfortable spot. Just so we can watch the drama unfold.

But you know....journalists are human beings as well. We also get home to our loved ones and sometimes stop talking politics and just relax. When I tried that relaxing thing...I couldn't stop thinking about how two wrongs do not make anything right.

The "racist girl" Hellen Zille made very ugly comments about the President Zuma. I want to know how many times are we going to use "the sex scandal" against him. This is a plot to contaminate the minds of the citizens. She wants all of us not to see any good that this administration may come up with. Dirty politics if you ask me. Journalists now have a responsibility to report these distasteful exchanges with care.

The ANCYL has vowed to make Western Cape ungovernable...and that is really counter-productive for all of us. I can't write anymore...I promised my better half I wouldn't stay long on the computer.

A full cabinet

Mr President, you have made some interesting changes to the government. I will come out and say that I was hoping you would get rid of the over-glorified minister Trevor Manuel. In my opinion, he failed the poor people of this country. While income tax became bearable - the Value Added Tax (VAT) remains a thorn in the flesh of our impoverished citizens.

The ridiculous appointment of Amos Motswaledi to the Health Ministry is the one I will watch very closely. Not enough credentials to take over such a sensitive and crucial department. The same goes for Maite Mashabane who is now faced with the great challenge of keeping the good standard that Dr Dlamini-Zuma set.

Most commentators are using the wait-and-see approach. That's all we can do right now. Wait and see! The party is over Mr President it's time to get down to work and deliver on the promises you made to the country. I don't know how you are going to do it with Angie Motshega as the Basic Education Minister. This is the woman who said education was not all that important as long as you have matric. She said it protecting Julius Malema around the furore of his academic qualifications.

I certainly don't undermine the power of God. He was invited by the spiritual leaders at your inauguration. But God has his own conditions, you have to do your part. The cabinet is a bit too full but I hope it is swaying in the direction of efficiency.

My President is a polygamist

The fact that the former president Nelson Mandela divorced and married multiple times did not send tongues wagging demonising him. But now we are about to, for the first time, have a president married to three women. The media is already having a feast. Nasty face book messages I encountered this morning made me realise just how unfair we can be.

I take this seriously because I too belong to a minority that strives for full rights in this country. I am not by any means pronouncing my support for polygamy, but I want us all too recognise it as a union that is protected by laws of our country. We have high divorce rates in this country. Go to your priest, ask him to break the seal and tell you about the infidelity in your church!

So leave President Zuma and his wife alone. A racist newspaper in the UK called him A leopard skinned polygamist. Let us not be found in the same state of mind with those who know nothing about our culture,laws and heritage.

Yes, I did not want the ANC to return to the seat of power. But now that the peole of this country have spoken, I cannot simply become anti-ANC or anti-Zuma because my cause or yours did not succeed. He is now the President of our country. We ought to be loyal and patriotic.

Mr President I presume?

It is only a matter of time before the SABC projects the ANC as the winner of the National and Provincial election. So my congratulations to the African National Congress. We are in a maturing democracy and I forsee all the other parties that did not do well - conceding defeat without violence or intimidation. Let me jump the gun and also wish President Elect Jacob Zuma a good and productive five years in the presidency.

To the official opposition party of Hellen Zille, congratulations on the votes you got from the Western cape electorate. It shows that there are indeed people who have faith and believe in what you stand for. I know there were unrealistic predictions and hopes that the newly formed Congress of the People would become the new official opposition party. Some even went on to think it would unseat the ANC. I must acknowledge that there were reasonable people like myself, who just wanted a more vibrant diversified political landscape. We have achieved it. I salute all the South Africans who went out to cast their ballots yesterday. Some of you braved the cold weather. Some had their babies on their backs in the long queues.

May the spirit of Dr Martin Luther Jnr along with the spirits Bantu Biko, OR Tambo, Govan Mbeki and many other fallen heroes shine upon us as we celebrate our democracy. Let the unrepentant soul of P W Botha be renewed and be incorporated into the beautiful history of our country. Pula!