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