In response to a notification from Council (See: NMB Council Puts a Damper on MBDA’s 20 Year Celebrations) the MBDA have basically told Council and the City Manager to take a hike and are sticking to their guns. What this means for citizens is that we can probably expect to see more lawyers driving around town in high end vehicles whilst we fund their new more impressive lifestyles! The response from the MBDA (attributed to MBDA CEO Anele Qaba) was as follows: Dear City Manager 1. Your … [Read more...] about MBDA Hits Back and Schools Council
Editorial
BRICS becomes CABERIASIA (Maybe?)
The BRICS nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have formally accepted Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates into their grouping. Thereby adding a number of letters to their shortened form: B R I C S A I S A E U A E Having a bit of fun we could now say that the acronym for "BRICSAISAEUAE" is: B - Bilateral R - Relations I - In C - Collaboration S - Supporting A - Alliances I - Internationally S - Strengthening A - Asian E - … [Read more...] about BRICS becomes CABERIASIA (Maybe?)
Heads Up Politicos: Politicians May NOT be Employed by the Municipality AND Vice Versa
As per the content of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Act, as amended on 16 August 2022 and published in the Government Gazette on 17 August 2022 - the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Act (Act No. 3 of 2022): The amendment to which all political parties within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Council should be aware and which must be implemented immediately is as follows: Article 71B: “Restriction of political rights” A staff member may not hold a political … [Read more...] about Heads Up Politicos: Politicians May NOT be Employed by the Municipality AND Vice Versa
NMB Council Puts a Damper on MBDA’s 20 Year Celebrations
The month of August 2023 is a month of celebrations for the Mandela Bay Development Agency as they mark 20 years in existence. It would appear, with one year to go to the magic 21, that the child birthed by the Nelson Mandela Bay Council is now being spanked by its parents for employing a former Golden Handshake recipient - Anele Qaba - as its CEO. In a Council Meeting held on 22 August 2023 Council voted to curb the actions of the MBDA Board and gave notice of that to the MBDA in a 23 … [Read more...] about NMB Council Puts a Damper on MBDA’s 20 Year Celebrations
Restored St Peters Church Will be THE SPOT Come October 2023
On Gardener Circle in South End, the St Peters Anglican Church ruins are coming to life again and offer a most magnificent view from the wooden deck and coffee shop taking shape. I have a sneaky suspicion that with the free Wi-Fi offering and expansive deck the spot will become a well trodden spot for GQ's who "do coffee and work". St Peters Anglican Church in South End overlooking the Port of Port Elizabeth in Gqeberha was founded in temporary premises as a daughter church of St Mary’s in … [Read more...] about Restored St Peters Church Will be THE SPOT Come October 2023
Don’t Confuse Racism and Respect
It just so happens the bombardment of bite sized 'nuggets' of information one sees screaming past on the Ex-Twitter timeline does numb your brain and reactions. Unfortunately when one reacts it is normally in a negative, judging and/or condecending manner. We very seldom take the time to think about what the proper response would be and are almost always guided by our 'learned' response rooted in deep fear of being called out as a bully or, in South Africa's case, as a racist. Yesterday I … [Read more...] about Don’t Confuse Racism and Respect
Dear Moaners – HERE is Your Reply
Hot on the heels of the opposition party in Nelson Mandela Bay giving notice of their intention to force a Council Meeting to discuss the unfolding grant crisis, Mayor Gary has given notice of his intention to make a SECOND report back on his first 100 days in office. See: Hold a Council Meeting Within 72 Hours or… On Wednesday 16 August Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk will be joined by his Mayoral Committee Members and senior management and will be … [Read more...] about Dear Moaners – HERE is Your Reply
Womens Day – We Have Lost Focus and Continue to Demean
Our brave women from 1956 showed how a peaceful, diginified protest could finally bring about meaningful change. I am forced to wonder if the government and citizens of the day would have taken the marchers at all seriously if they pitched up in tutus and revealing attire! On August 9, 1956, there was a staged march on the Union Buildings of Pretoria. Over 20 000 women of all races attended the march in order to protest against the Urban Areas Act of 1950 amendments. This law required all … [Read more...] about Womens Day – We Have Lost Focus and Continue to Demean
Treasonous or Not: Did Julius Actually Mean “Kill the Police”?
Our favourite rabble rouser and wearer of expensive timepieces, the CiC of the EFF, Julius Malema is no stranger to controversy - as his latest singing of the struggle song "Kill the Boer" at the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) 10th Birthday Bash showed. I am sure that Julius Malema is fully aware that the term 'Boers', as used during the struggle, refers to policemen. Which then begs answers to the question; "Why has our government and, more specifically Mr Bheki Cele, been completely silent … [Read more...] about Treasonous or Not: Did Julius Actually Mean “Kill the Police”?
Do You Ride Down Mount Road Daily? Are YOU Exercising Your Middle Finger?
If you do then you will know what a bun fight it can be at the robots guarding the intersection between Mount and Harrower Roads as cars navigate the final section of road from the robots to Govan Mbeki. The 'problem child lane' is the one on the down run closest to Tavcor - this lane feeds directly to the turning lane into Govan Mbeki and NOT to the Summerstrand or NBluewtaer Bay on ramps. The lane to the left of that feeds to the lane that crosses Goven Mbeki Avenue and onto the freeway … [Read more...] about Do You Ride Down Mount Road Daily? Are YOU Exercising Your Middle Finger?
Transformation – Time to broaden the definition
As South Africans we are well used to seeing the word 'transformation' used when there are too few people of colour on a sporting team, in a business or at schools. (I have yet to see the word vigorously applied to families, charities, football or even churches!) My fear is that the interpretation and definition of the word 'transformation' is being applied as a catch phrase implying that places on teams and in business must be given solely as a result of skin colour - let's face it very … [Read more...] about Transformation – Time to broaden the definition
CiC Killing Debate – Are we mature enough to even call this a debate?
Over on everybody's 'favourite' sound bite social media - X-Twitter - a whole lot of X'ses are being sent out around the EFF's Julius Malema singing 'Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer' at the EFF's 10th Birthday bash this past weekend. One of the luminaries of our Justice System - Preofessor Thuli Madonsela weighed in with a legally focussed commment that, inevitably, resulted in many strident dissenting voices that attacked the messenger and not the actual problem. It is most frustrating … [Read more...] about CiC Killing Debate – Are we mature enough to even call this a debate?
BEFORE You Get the Moering Over Wee Julius’ Latest Kill the Boer Challenge…
You would do well to point your fingers at the real reason why he felt free to continue to sing this song. At the EFF's 10th Birthday Rally this weekend the EFF's head honcho/dictator for life/chief rabble rouser/R2 Million Watch Guy, Julius Malema (Commander in Chief), sang the controversial "Kill the Boer" struggle song. In August 2022, Judge Molahlehi of the Equality Court in Johannesburg ruled that the singing of “Kill the Boer - Kill the Farmer” by EFF supporters in Senekal in October … [Read more...] about BEFORE You Get the Moering Over Wee Julius’ Latest Kill the Boer Challenge…
Would You Drink This Water?
In the valley of the Snowden Avenue, Mill Park Conservancy - an incredible initiative from my mate Ronnie Baer - is a stream of water that runs almost constantly. The conservancy has Mountain Bike Tracks and ramblers paths criss crossing the valley area between Snowden Avenue and Target Kloof. The area has become a firm favourite for us and the boys as we explore the natural beauty in the heart of our city. Today we tasted the water. I must hasten to add that the boys have a good nose … [Read more...] about Would You Drink This Water?
Qaba v Odendaal – Good News (for some) and Bad News (for others)
We have all witnessed the back and forth between ex-Mayor Retief Odendaal, the MBDA and NMBM as each of the combatants vigorously defend their positions around the legalities of re-hiring an ex-employee - such as Anela Qaba - who have recently been given a R3 Million Golden Handshake. Basically Qaba says that he qualifies to be re-hired and Odendaal mouths words meaning; "Poppycock". The reasons for Qabas dismissal are murky to say the least - save that he was given a Golden Handshake to … [Read more...] about Qaba v Odendaal – Good News (for some) and Bad News (for others)
