Comments on: Why we published the burning man picture

By: KK

KK — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:59:20 +0000

Dave – you just dont get it, and that callous question illustrates how little you know about this countr

By: ak

ak — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:13:55 +0000

Dave when you left us we were owing the world a lot of money. that money you borrowed was used to kill us in a war designed only to perpetuate slaves out of us.

Yes problems we have, they are of a different nature. Dave it depends what you mean when you say we have lost it.

I have just been accused of this racist remark. i have no problem personally if you view our problems from that angle.

You should come home and study the situation with a very open mind. The problem, as your friends are saying, is not the colour but the situation.

The biggest problem we face Dave” our government must buy back the land that they did not sell to start with.

This sets them at a disadvantage to start with.
Our legal system is still western
Our value system is still dominated by the west
Our commerce still the same
May be if we introduce more of African values and let us catch up with what is innate in us; then can things perhaps improve.

This greed you see is the result of being assimilated by a culture foreign to ourselves.

By: David

David — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:54:05 +0000

I am an Australian. Was SA a better place under White rule? Should White rule return?

Maybe?? Seems the Blacks have lost it!

By: Gevas Moyo

Gevas Moyo — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:13:42 +0000

Ak thanks for your concession, Love you Bro. Lets build a better world for tomorrow.

By: Gevas Moyo

Gevas Moyo — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:11:07 +0000

Ak, one thing I forgot to answer in response to your statement that Zimbabweans love Mugabe…really?? My bro, inflation is anywhere between 3 – 5 million percent. Unemployment 90%, crime, HIV etc. AK, please look at the trend and ask yourself are there any similarities in SA?

One thing that I want you to check on TV, Mugabe talks about whites and demonises them everyday right?? The man froths at the mouth when he is blasting these ‘whites’ right??…. Now check for yourself – Look closely at his security detail – White Guys my bro!! How about that for hyprocrisy?? Now this is the person you want as your leader???Use the search engine – Google right now and put in Grace Mugabe in Rome, again who is the security detail closest to her?? A white guy. Now lets stop this posturing and admit failure when we fail. Why go to Rome to vomit the same venom that ‘whites’ are ruining Zimbabwe. Are there any whites killing people in the rural areas right now forcing people to vote for the government in the coming runoff elections?? Lets be honest with ourselves, listen to the lyrics of Johnny Clegg’s ‘The System has fallen’ and ‘stand in the light of the people and breath life into this land again’and draw inspiration from them.

Siyathemba, Siyathemba Ku’wena Nkosi Sizofika makaya!!!

My bro, my life experiences have taught me plenty and i continue to learn each day. Brain wash….errr i think not more like enlightenment. My eyes though young have seen through the smoke and mirrors and I am glad I am not the only one who says lets find capable leaders even from MARS.

By: ak

ak — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:05:01 +0000

Mfowethu Rowan and Mfowethu Moyo.

It is not very often that I admit defeat. I think you both have a point. I just could not find words for what i wanted to say.

Mfowethu Rowan, Zille is the prime example of the white person who could not lead us. I thought you could have chosen people like bishop Hurley, unfortunately dead; Oom Beyers Naude again dead. One person who comes to minnd is Nuade. What happened to Carl Niehaus.

I just cannot think of anyone who could lead us.

But both of you have a generally correct point.

Cheers Bafwethu

By: Gevas Moyo

Gevas Moyo — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:44:30 +0000

Ak, thanks for your opinion and contribution. I did not in anyway imply a leader should be of white skin or any colour skin for that matter. Infact I would have neither Smith not Mugabe as leaders as both are evil twins separated at birth. Too often the race card is played by people who cannot offer any solutions. That is the problem of Zimbabwe and once the race card is played it very easy to generate debate which creates a lot of heat in the chest but very little in the head. Just like in SA we have people of different colours, does that make them less South African because they are white or brown? We all came from somewhere and what is retrogressive is to continue to hearld the cry of skin colour whenever our leaders are criticised. Mind you even in the fight against apartheid we had people like Ruth First, Anton Lobowski and even our living legend Johnny Clegg, fighting side by side with us, now are these not white people? What i am advocating for is lets look at what is best for the country not the colour of skin. What about Father Lapsley who nearly paid with his life due to his views, is he not white as well? South Africans need to learn from the Zimbabwe debacle. What we need are answers not people who are stuck in yesteryear. We hear , we fought for the country, we fought for the country, over and over again. Thank you comrade or whatever your political persuasion – now lets move on and see how we can help our fellow country men. Indeed the issue of colour and change is something that the whole world is grappling with. For the first time an African American has very good chance to become the president of America…how about that? If he did not have the leadership qualities that he has and the ability to effect change would he be on the verge of making history?? Leadership should always be based on competency and must be deserving. Our african leaders like Mugabe feel Zimbabwe owes them a favour, even Smith was fromt he same cesspool. So should we continue festering corruption, murder and brutality because the person in office has the same skin colour as us??? For Africa to grow and join the global village we need to look for a new generation of leaders, who can table an issue and discuss it intelligently. We cannot allow the bitterness of yesteryear to continue to divide us. yes there are complex issue but lets us look for the greater good not Swiss accounts and shopping sprees at Tax payer’s expense. I have often toiled with the idea of an executive presidency – more like a CEO. We recruit and find a condidate who can lead our country to prosperity and if they fail to perform, we show them the door. Sounds radical but hey maybe we can refine this notion and get people who will actually deliver results. Thabo is an adult, how could he have been corrupted? It takes two to tangle!

By: Rowan

Rowan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:16:12 +0000

ak, apology accepted.

Although you continue with your view that ” Give me one WHITE person in South Africa that is fit to lead the country.” WHY?

This racism remains…if you can get beyond skin colour mate, then we can get somewhere!

But I still do not care what colour our next leader will be. Perhaps we should all look at the bigger picture here, it does not matter.

We are the rainbow nation. Let\’s break the mould! For one, methinks Helen Zille has shown enough leadership to take this country into the future. And my dear friend, it is not because she is of a paler colour. Just look at her record. She HAS excelled.

Helen For Prez! Viva the Future!

Umfowethu Rowan

By: ak

ak — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:26:19 +0000

Hi Rowan,
Sorry mate. The thing has been taken out of context. I was referring to South Africa. Give me one white person in South Africa that is fit to lead the country.

You may have some different views from what I was saying. I was responding to the whole letter as posted by Moyo.

take the DA, who can lead us. There is none in that party. I was actually referring to them, well come on.

take the ANC, who can lead us there, for even there from time to time you do get this subtle racism.

Take iNkatha, give me somebody.

Rowan, I cannot argue much against what you are saying, but rather than you attacking me or rather defending yourself against my accusation- I would rather refer you to my general thinking- if that is racist, well I can only apologize to you.

Kindly read the post in its totality and then see again if I am wrong.

I did not mean to offend you; but if I knew of your politics to be correct and proper; why; I would give you the Presidency.

By: Rowan

Rowan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:12:22 +0000

ak… your above comment:

“Please now do not push whites to lead us again.”

…is racist.

I ask: WELL, WHY NOT, IS IT THE SKIN COLOUR WHICH DEFINES A LEADER?

You have insulted me because of the tone of my skin. Get over it, it is no longer a black and white, or any shade inbetween, issue anymore! We are beyond this! We need a leader, regardless of skin colour. Africa is part of the global community. Look at Obama!