The Spear Painting | Winners and Losers

Jacob Zuma The Spear | Success of the Century

Controversy has been the order of the day for the past two weeks after a painting by an obscure artist .... named Zuma - The Spear was exhibited in a Johannesburg, South Africa, art gallery. The Spear portrayed the South African president, the honourable Jacob Zuma, with idealised exposed genitalia.

There have been winners and losers created by this whole episode. The artist, the gallery, the buyer and even the constitution are clearly winners, while the ANC emerges as the only loser with egg on their faces.

ANC Objects to The Spear

The ruling political party, the African National Congress and their cohorts in the tripartite alliance (COSATU and SACP) took exception to the painting, claiming it dishonoured and insulted the president and stated it was unacceptable to black African culture for a leader to be portrayed in this manner. The ANC and allied parties demanded the painting be removed from display and destroyed. A protest march was organised for Tuesday this weeks to deliver the demands to the gallery, and a court case initiated to obtain a court order for the painting's removal.

Apartheid Lives in South Africa in 2012

Legislated Apartheid Continues in South Africa Today

Apartheid in 2012

Eighteen years after the fascist National Party government of South Africa was removed from power, their policies of apartheid continue under the rule of the previous 'freedom fighters' organisation, the African National Congress.

Apart from a brief hiatus from 1990 to 1994 after President de Klerk scrapped all apartheid legislation, and from 1994 to 1999 when the rule of common sense and decency held sway under the guidance of President Nelson Mandela, apartheid continues as an entrenched policy supported and practised by the government of today...

DA and Cosatu Lock Horns

Discord and Violence Over Youth Wage Subsidy

Tuesday's DA led demonstration against government's proposed wage subsidy for young citizens resulted in violence on the streets of Braamfontein when Cosatu members objected to the demonstration.

Violence at wage subsidy protest - image courtesy Mail & Guardian

The DA supports the wage subsidy, believing it will help young people get employed and gain essential experience in the workplace, while Cosatu believes it will lead to currently employed workers losing their jobs, further exploitation of the labour force and lower wages (as if workers wages aren't poor already).

Unfortunately both sides have good, valid points. From Cosatu's side, they are likely correct to believe the subsidy will lead to reduced earnings and exploitation, while the DA is right to support any means to create employment in South Africa. 

Agriculture Minister Too Busy to Do Her Job

Tina Joemat-Pettersson Too Busy or Too Lazy?

Tina Joemat-Pettersson, South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries told parliament yesterday May 07 2012 she could not possibly meet with all the agricultural organisations in south Africa as there were too many (around 550) because she would have to work every day of the year for 5 years to do so!

Image from Business Day

Well Minister, that's what we (the taxpayers) pay you to do. We do not pay you to drive around the country in luxury vehicles, fly all over the place, stay in expensive houses and up-market hotels when you are travelling for business.

It's part of your job. If it's to much work for you, resign and let someone who is not so bloody lazy take over (if there is any member of your party that actually knows what the concept "Work Ethic" means).