In the Still of the Night

The country is in a hospitable mode, anticipating the convergence of the world to Motherland - South Africa - for the Soccer spectacle. The first on the African continent since its inception; the prospect for Africa to show the world that Africa has the aptitude to host this Colossal event on the FIFA calendar. Stadia are reconstructed, revamped and resourced; tourism industry is booming with anticipated flock; strikers struck a lucrative deal with their bosses; SMME's are gearing up to prepare the wares that they think will be required or consumed; and government officials are trying to evaluate how the Prostitution or Sex Work (to be politically correct) Industry can be beneficial to both the visitors and the South African economy.

There is a simmering talk of Decriminilisation or Legalisation of Prostitution in South Africa, with some quarters saying it is aimed at 2010 Soccer World cup. Officials are trying to paint a beautiful picture of the aftermath of decriminilisation of prostitution, whilst moralist denigrate the intended move. Someone is mummering: "Why doesn't someone who is gifted in the art of satisfying clients sexually be allowed to trade his/her wares like footballers do?" The other alludes that: "Coital issues are sacred and should be shared in a sacred union."

There might have been some positive outcome to the decriminalisation of prostitution in some countries, but I sincerely believe that our young democracy is not ready for a step. There is too much poverty in this wealthy country; a dependency syndrome was created through establishment of well meaning social grants; schools are common sight of some foreigners bringing school girls - who think they will uplift their socio-economic situation - to school in flashy cars; microwaved success is commonly anticipated by most young people; and learners don't have the urge to go to school.

There is an existing and alarming problem of child trafficking, molestation and prostitution. So, why exacerbate the situation by creating an easy route or way out. One doesn't need to go to school or any form of qualification to become a prostitute. What are we saying to our girl learners? That they can became sex objects and be used by tourists like Saartjie Bartman? Will mothers who are trading themselves be expected to take their girl-child to work on Take-A-Girlchild-To-Work day? Why not use those expensive forums to come up with empowerment initiatives that are aimed at rooting out poverty and slums? School girls becoming Night Walkers... What a sorry sight!

Education for emancipation...

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust...

Hi there Cyber junkies!

I sincerely would like to have you comment on this one, irrespective of your religious affiliation; furthermore without undermining or scorning any belief system. This is aimed at enabling me to comprehensively understand issues related to the existence and demise of human kind. The questions posed in this publication are rhetoric and aimed at enabling you to provide the required clarity.

Two boxers kneel in their respective changing rooms to request Divine intervention from the Almighty before their scheduled bout. Who is God going to favour or is the impending victory depended on the boxer's preparatory training and execution of skills and tactics on the day? Which lead me to ...

Do we DIE because it is time, GOD has recalled us; or do we DIE because of the CHOICES we and/or other people make?

When listening to preachers and mourners during the time of bereavement, they always say that 'God has given, and now He has taken'. Does this mean God is responsible for our deaths? If that is the case, why would God knowing the socio-economic status of a certain family take the breadwinner? Why would God take that young man or woman whose family literally struggled to put through university and had just started a month ago at a new job? The family viewed this as emancipation from the adverse grip of poverty.

A person goes to a party or bar, decides to drink after which he drives. A family is cruising peacefully on their way home when suddenly they crash head-on and are killed instantly on impact with the drunkard who was driving on the wrong lane. A young lady who preserved herself and is untainted by any man until marriage, contract HIV on her first sexual encounter and later dies of AIDS. A young girl decides to fall pregnant, gives birth and strangles the newly born. A young man decides to have multiple sexual relationships without using any protective measure or condom, and later dies of AIDS. Gang of youngsters decides to hijack a car, kills the owner so that they can sell the car to feed their drug habit. The wife decides to hire a hit-man to dispose of her husband so that she can inherit all the wealth. A racist pig decides to go on a shooting spree to killed innocent passersby, because he can't stand seeing them. A terrorist group decides to shoot on a plane carrying 250 passengers who have nothing against their cause. A frustrated man or woman decides to commit suicide because he/she can't handle the pressure that comes with life. Need I go on. Did all these people die because that's the way they are destined to meet their Maker?

I sincerely believe that God has given us life and He can't live our lives for us, he is not responsible for the choices we make, so it is up to us to live life they way we choose to. We make choices every moment of our lives, and have to live with the consequences of the choices we make - whether good or bad. If a person decides to drive a car drunk, crash with another car and other people are killed on impact, they died because of the choice that that drunkard made. A young girl who suffocates a new born baby in a plastic bag does so because of her egotistic motives, or else she could have used contraceptives. A husband decides to use a gun to wipe-out his entire family and himself for reasons known to him. God loves all human kind equally and wouldn't allow a person to maim others so heartlessly.

That's my Take, What's yours!

Lost Generation

Hi there Cyber Junkies

I listen and watch with much enthusiasm the deliberations about the youth of '76, with due respect to the legacy. I am astonished by all the focus, glorifying and praise accorded to them, whilst the current youth is deemed doomed. We live in a society that is characterized by all the anomalies one can find in a dysfunctional society. Kids as young as 15yrs are alcoholics or cigarettes addicts if not dagga; household are headed by children; educators are alleged to have sexual contacts with their learners; a female is raped every 10 seconds; crime is a common act; corrupt officials; need I go on and on.

Young people are accused of displaying apathy. Our learners lack commitment with regard to their school work; educators and parents blame the system for this behaviour. Young people are carefree with their future, sex, and use alcohol and drugs as if they advance a cause. Some school kids spent their school days in rehab centres than in classrooms. School going age female kids are walking around in bulging tummies or falling pregnant as if to outdo one another. Churches are flourishing, with members of the congregation overwhelmed by debt in their quest to tithe. A convicted rapist, murderer, thief is allocated a meal three times a day; a law abiding citizen has to fend for themselves. Prisoners are afforded skills development programmes as part of rehabilitation, whilst disadvantaged matriculants has to devise means to pay for their tuition if they are fortune to be registered with a tertiary institution.

Remember the saying: "Children live what they learn." What happened to credible role-modeling? A dad/mum is telling his son/daughter that liquor is not good, whilst his drowning in a cheap or expensive bottle of whiskey, brandy or beer. A mother complains about her youngster watching porn at 01H00 AM, where is she at that time, out? We continuously yell that 'crime' doesn't pay', however criminals are glorified, live better in palatial houses than the educated folk. How do we expect children to be in school? Affluent citizens migrate to the "enclosed suburbs" for security and tranquility, leaving township kids to be role modeled by thugs, nonentities.

If we want to judge or complain about the direction that the current youth is headed, let's scrutinize our leadership. Whose fault is it anyway?

Interception of Communication Act (RICA)

The Justice Minister announced the implementation of Interception of Communication & Provision of Communication Act, aimed at combating organized crime syndicates. All cellphone users must register their SIM cards with their respective service providers by the end of 2010 (18 months), thus providing your identity and proof of residence. Failure to comply with the stipulation will result in the unregistered SIM cards being blocked. All the SIM cards the user uses and those of their kids must also be registered.

As much as I want to convince myself that this is aimed at the betterment of and rid this country of organized crime, I sincerely believe that this is blatant invasion of people's privacy. Remember the movie - Enemy of the State - starring Will Smith? How are we expected to make conversations with the thought of a NIA agent listening at the other end? How is one expected to share intimate, saucy, juicy or lustily details with their loved ones with the thought of a certain "pervert" listening for the supposed "criminal conversations"?

Our Intelligence Agency has got data base on the operations and syndicates involved in this heinous acts, so why not tap phones of the suspected perpetrators. Organized crime would not be executed without sufficient and 'inside' info; I don't have to be an Intelligent Agent to know this. So, why burn the entire forest in search of snakes whose hideouts are known? The registration of SIM card is equivalent to installing tracking device to people, thus monitoring their every detail. Are we properties of the state or the state is the people's property?