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Samba in Jozi: Brazil wins CONFED trophy

Champions:Brazil skipper Lucio holds up the Confederations Cup after his team beat USA 3-2 in a tense final played at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. (Pic courtesy of: MTN Football)


Brazil desperately clawed back from being 2-0 down against a defiant USA, to claim a surprising 3-2 victory in a nail biting Confed Cup final played at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg, last week Sunday.

Fresh from sinking the Spanish Armada in the semi-finals, team USA nearly caused a second upset when they were 2-0 ahead by the end of first half

USA was quick to apply pressure with Clint Dempsey scoring the opening goal less than 10 minutes after kick off.

The Americans onslaught against the Brazilian defence was relentless, and 27 minutes into the match captain Landon Donovan put one past Brazilian goal keeper Julio Cesar.

A surprised Brazil launched an impressive counter-attack but US goal keeper Tim Howard's saves were just as impressive, blocking all attempts by star striker Luis Fabiano to equalise in the first half.

Brazil's performance in the second half was stunning and they were quick to turn it on the Americans.

Fabiano didn't waste any time and scored Brazil's opening goal about 40 seconds into the second half, narrowing USA's comfortable 2-0 lead.

On the 60th minute Brazil was infuriated after being denied an equalizer when the ball appeared to have bounced between the cross bar and goal line. Action replay revealed that the Brazilians were actually cheated a goal.

USA's luck was short lived though as Fabiano finally balanced the score a few minutes later,making him the tournaments top goal scorer.

With the battle field evenly leveled, the match grew tenser as both sides battled fiercely for a late goal.

The ice breaker came from a Lucio header in the 84th minute, giving Brazil a 3-2 lead by the end of 90 minutes.

The Samba Boys are the 2009 Confederations Cup champions.


Writing By: Mooketsi Nthite

David & Goliath: Bafana Bafana v Brazil

Blades are being sharpened as Bafana Bafana prepare to take on five time world champions Brazil, in tonight's Confederations Cup Semi final played in Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg.

The Adidas Kopanya meaning "join together" in Sesotho is the official ball of the 2009 Confederations Cup. Its design is inspired by the artwork of the Ndebele people of South Africa and Zimbabwe. (Source: Fifa.com)

Despite losing 2-o to European champions Spain in a packed Free State Stadium last week, the other group A fixture between Iraq and New Zealand which resulted in a 0-0 draw, allowed Bafana to proceed to the semis on points basis.


Local fans have an extra reason to be optimistic as star striker Bernard Parker, who injured his knee during training last week, passed a late fitness test declaring him fit for the big showdown. Parker was the hero who scored both goals in Bafanas 2-0 thumping over New Zealand.

Pic Source:Rapport

Early criticism

Sceptics point out to Bafana's 2-0 loss against the European champions as a sign of the walloping Brazil might give Bafana.


National coach Joel Santana brushed of the criticism, stating that Bafana is more than ready to take on anyone.


"Why do you think we will lose?" was Santana's answer to a pessimistic journalist.


"We are ready and prepared to face anyone," said an agitated Santana at a press meeting in Bloemfontein.

Green & Gold: Bafana Bafana's new look jersey for the 2009 Confederations Cup unveiled at a press release in Johannesburg. (Pic Source: SAFA)

Two thumbs up

The 2009 Confederations Cup is a 'dress rehearsal' for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, testing South Africa's capabilities of hosting the prestigious tournament, which is the worlds biggest sporting event watched by billions of people.

Despite a minor crime incident concerning the Egyptian team, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given South Africa an 8 out of 10 for its overall handling of the tournament.

8 teams will be contesting for the $US 3.75 million grand prize.

The tournament kicked of on 14 June and the final will be played a fortnight later on 28 June.

Written by: Mooketsi Nthite

Zuma makes it reign

Jacob Zuma was sworn in at the Union Buildings in Pretoria as SA's new president.Umsholozi promises postive changes and said that this is the era of "hard work."
Pic source: M&G online
















Tens of thousands of people braved heavy rains and chilly weather to witness the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as South Africa's new president.

VIP's and dignitaries were given umbrellas and raincoats as unusual heavy rains pourd hard in Pretoria that morning. Spectators had to improvise, some even risking lightning strike by sheltering under trees.
Source: M&G online

Close to 80 000 spectators crammed onto the South Lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sturday, 9 May 2009 to watch 'Umsholozi's' rise to power, his vocal supporters singing Zuma's trademark "Umshini wami" (my machine gun) war chant, announcing their allegiance to the president of Africa's most powerful state.

"I think the rain is a blessing," said Mo Shaik, brother of infamous Shabir Shaik who was accused of being in a corrupt relationship with Zuma, and as if destiny intervened, the rains died down and sunlight pierced through the grey clouds as Zuma was about to make his oath.

Shaik was among the 5 000 invited guests, which also included axed president Thabo Mbeki and his wife Zanele. Envoys, diplomats and 30 different heads of states such as Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe and Muammer Al-Khadafi, the openly anti-American Libyan president were also present at the inauguration.



Boos and cheers

Ousted president Thabo Mbeki and his wife were met with humiliating boos from certain sections of the crowd as their faces were displayed on the large big screens, former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka was evidently never favoured by the populous, who gave her the same booing treatment.


Excited Zuma supporters took to the streets surrounding the Union Buildings singing Umshini Wami.


Though the South African Communist Party openly expressed their strong disapproval of having Swaziland's king present at the ceremony for being "anti-democratic," crowds whistled and cheered as Swazi monarch King Moswati III entered.



The majority of spectators at the inaugaration were young South Africans

As expected, ANC Youth League president Julius Malema was not short of controversial insults.

He had something to say to Zuma's apparent conspirators, "they will be giving their fake smiles.They must come and witness because they have lost. They must come and witness what they said was not possible," he added.

He also aimed his verbal cannon at the former president, "Mbeki must come witness what he stood against, to him this will not be a nice day."





Taxpayer's R75 million for the after-party




Taxpayers' had to fork out R75 million for Zuma's inauguration, which included the special bullet proof glass stage were Zuma made his oath.


A lot also went into the stage were the after-party concert was held. It included large, high-tech, high-definition big screens and various award winning South African musicians like Gang of Instrumentals and Pro who were left to entertain the mostly young crowd after the inaugaration.







Nonetheless cabinet insisted that the budget could have been higher but was limited because of the current global recession.




This years budget was R12 million rand more than Mbeki's inauguration in 2004.

As the performers left the stage and the big screens switched of, some of the spectators took their celebrations to the streets and partied into the wee hours of the morning.


Photos & writing by: Mooketsi Nthite

Zuma likely to be South Africas next president

Post-Apartheid South Africa had its fourth general elections on Wednesday 22, April. A record number of enthusiastic voters, young and old, patiently waited in snaking ques to cast their votes in what could arguably be the largest voter turn out since Nelson Mandela's inception as president.

By Thursday morning the ruling African National Congress(ANC) was already maintaining dominance with 180 433 or 55.4% of votes. Official results released on Saturday by the Independent Electoral Commission(IEC) indicated ANC's popularity with the people, gaining 65.9% of votes.


Fierce opposition

This puts ANC ever closer to gaining the two-thirds majority that the main opposition party, Democratic Alliance(DA) has been fiercely campaigning against. According to IEC results, DA still remains the country's official opposition party with 2.95 million or 16.6% of votes. It also has majority support in the Western Cape, the only province in South Africa not ruled by ANC.

ANC's break away faction, Congress of the People(COPE), which was formed less than a year ago after former president Thabo Mbeki was ousted as president, failed to overtake the DA to become the main opposition party as they hoped for. Nonetheless, COPE Deputy President Linda Odendaal said the party is pleased with the results.

Famous actor Hlomla Dandala(in the middle wearing cap and shades), son of COPE president Mvume Dandala, was speaking at a mini-COPE rally at the Tshwane University of Technology shortly before elections. The meeting was physically disrupted by anti-COPE students and rumours around that campus are that Dandala slapped one of the students who broke up the address.

"Considering the fact that our party is fairly young, it is amazing how people supported COPE," said Odendaal at the IEC results center in Pretoria.The combined votes of much smaller parties are somewhat of a drop in the ocean, accumulating to not more than 18%, offering no real threat to the main opposition party.

Early celebrations

If its not Zuma having his corruption charges dropped a fortnight before elections, the 2009 elections will surely be remembered for; allowing expats overseas to vote and ANC losing its majority stake hold in the Western Cape province.


The results speak for themselves, pro ANC supporters around SA are already planning celebrations for the inaugaration of Jacob Zuma as the next president.

Total Number of votes per party (April 25 2009):

• ANC: 11,650,748 (65.9%)

• DA: 2,945,829 (16.66%)

• COPE: 1,311,027 (7.42%)

• IFP: 804,260 (4.55%)

• ID: 162,915 (0.92%)

• Other: 805, 950 (4.56%)

All pics and writing- Mooketsi Nthite

Police shoot students

11/2/2009-Violence erupted at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria when police opened fire on innocent student protesters.

Police brutality on students is nothing new. This student was shot four times at point blank with rubber bullets during the 2008 student protests.The camera used for this pic was smuggled into the police holding cells where he was held and denied immediate medical assistance. Pic: Mooketsi Nthite

As a mob in the crowd pelted police with stones, they retaliated by indiscriminately firing rubber bullets into the crowd; injuring dozens of students, including an unarmed disabled protester (Bob Makgae,see video below) and a Pretoria News journalist(Mogomotsi Magome).

The protests were triggered by an ongoing feud between management and workers of the university, who were demanding a salary increase. Classes were eventually called of by staff in January, inevitably forcing students to join the strike.The violence was an outburst of weeks of underlying tension.

Verbal assault

"The Minister of Education is a political snob!"

Exclaimed ANC Youth League President Julius Malema, his student prodigies in the crowd approved of this fiery statement with loud whistles.

Students and workers that day had congregated at the university's sports grounds to hear the highly controversial Malema and National Secretary of the Young Communist League, Buti Manamela speak.

Outspoken Malema told journalists before the shooting that students should be able to express their anger at management but it should be within the confines of the law.

"She must use her fake American accent to address our problems," snarled Malema, voicing his views about the Education Minister.

He carried on his verbal assault on other prominent politicians including the Deputy President.

A rebellious few in the crowd could be clearly heard telling Malema to voetsek (p*ss of).

This picture was taken inside an overloaded police van, more than 10 people were packed into a space ment for less than 6 people. The windows were closed shut & severe persperation set in as the heat became unbearable. This student's cuffs, which were intentionally made tight, were taken of more than two hours later at the police holding cells. Pic: Mooketsi Nthite

Legal action

The shooting of Magome is under investigation and the South African National Editors Forum slammed the incident calling it a "shocking" act by police.

Gauteng Security MEC Firoz Cachalia ordered a thorough investigation into the shooting of Makgae, the disabled student.

A settlement between management and staff was reached a few weeks later and classes resumed as normal.

Photos courtesy of : Etienne Creux (Pretoria News), Written by: Mooketsi Nthite

Freedom of Expression-The South African Press Code

According to Section 16 of the South African Constitution, the right to Freedom of Expression. Any individual has the right to spread the TRUTH;

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes:
(a) Freedom of the press and other media;
(b) Freedom to receive or impart information or ideas;
(c) Freedom of artistic creativity;
(d) Academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.

However, this right has strict limitations. Section 2 strictly prohibits;

(a) Propaganda for war;
(b) Incitement of imminent violence;
(c) Advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.

Click on the following link to read the 'Golden Rules,' that should guide a true reporter.
http://www.presscouncil.org.za/pages/south-african-press-code.php.

With the Press Code in my mind, I strive to become an objective, truthfull and unbiased journalist.Hallmarks of a true reporter.

I take absolutely no responsibility if what i post on this blog sparks up some form of controversy (i.e anything mentioned in Section 2 of the Right to Freedom of Expression). All I know is that I ALWAYS report the truth. If it offends any race, religion, gender I dont really care. ITS THE TRUTH!

The world is changing fast, a New World Order is appearing on the horizon and it is the role of every objective reporter to prepare citizens for the sweeping changes to come. Telling a lie to hide the truth never helped anyone, rather tell the truth that will help the greatest amount of people.

"I just believe in keeping it real and getting straight to the point."

Peace & love
Mooketsi