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SOUTH African Airways is to go to court to recover some R31 million that it believes was spent without proper authorisation by former CEO, Khaya Ngqula.
The chair of the airline’s board, Cheryl Carolus said the money included some R27 million which Ngqula handed out to senior managers as “retention bonuses” and a further R3.8 million he spent on hospitality suites, junkets and the like.
Carolus’s move represents the first serious break with the long-standing tradition of punishing underperforming state functionaries with golden handshakes.
Ngqula left SAA with just such a handshake which cost the airline R8 million.
In the normal course of events, the departing miscreant’s files are left in an untidy pile next to the defunct photocopier on the stairwell.
Carolus is having none of this.
Based on an audit — which was commissioned by the previous board under then chairman Jakes Gerwel — she wants the public’s money back.
And so it should be.
The leadership of a corporation in as compromised a financial position as SAA should show a little modesty. Read More…
We all felt it. That feeling that stirred somewhere deep within as Bafana Bafana took to the field exactly one month ago to sing the national anthem at the start of the football World Cup. We choked back the tears and we felt it.
Over the last month, we have all felt “it” many times during the tournament and it has become clear that we have more than exceeded the world’s expectations.
Now everyone wants to keep “it” and to turn “it” into the new national project. The common refrain is: “What are we going to do to keep ‘it’ alive after the World Cup?”
It is a very good question which deserves a serious answer. Read More…
THERE are loud calls for the introduction of technology to prevent the refereeing mistakes which have plagued the World Cup.
Perhaps the worst mistake was made by referee Jorge Larrionda, who failed to award England a goal after the ball clearly crossed the line after a shot by Frank Lampard.
A close second was the failure of a linesman to notice that Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez was several yards off side when he scored against Mexico.
These two decisions may or may not have affected the outcome of these two games, but the point is that a grave injustice was done during a critical game.
Critics point to rugby and cricket as examples of games where certainty has been introduced to crucial decisions by the use of video refereeing.
But, unlike football, these games can be suspended while decisions are made. Football is different. A disputed disallowed goal might be followed by a kick upfield by an alert keeper, leading to a goal for the other side.
By the time the footage shows that the disputed goal should have been allowed, the referee may already have awarded the other goal. Would the second goal then be cancelled? Football cannot allow for a delay while a decision is mulled.
What is needed is technology which can immediately and with certainty show whether or not the ball has crossed the line, perhaps with a red and green light that the referee can see in real time.
Until this is possible and practical to roll out on a large scale, we must live with human error.
SOUTH Africa stands on the edge of greatness. On the 27th of April, 1994, we rejoined the world of free nations when we pulled off the most spectacular feat of political transformation.
After centuries of oppression, black South Africans enjoyed the same political rights as whites and the great Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as president.
We took the world’s breath away and generated the sort of goodwill and empathy that most nations will never see.
Since then we have struggled with new problems. Our constitution brought into being powerful guarantors of our democracy and opened unprecedented space for free expression.
But there are loud voices who would like to reduce media freedom and the independence of the judiciary so that they can loot this country’s wealth without the discomfort of scrutiny.
Our leadership has failed to stop corruption and many of those sentenced for graft now find themselves occupying seats of power in the ruling party and government.
Through all of these travails, the people of South Africa have remained unwavering in their support for a free open society and implacably opposed to those who seek racial exclusion, unfair economic competition and the erosion of human rights.
The people are always way ahead of the politicians and they have shown us time and time again that they believe in a united, non-racial South Africa. More than that, they want to be part of a winning nation.
There are several memorable days on which they have done so.
Perhaps the most significant was 24 June 1995 when Nelson Mandela donned the green and gold of the Springboks and South Africa celebrated victory in the rugby world cup. Joel Stransky’s drop goal remains one of sports all-time greatest match-winning achievements.
Then there was 3 February 1996 when the nation watched in awe as Bafana Bafana stunned the continent took the African Cup of Nations. Who could forget the two goals scored by Mark Williams?
Just last week, on Saturday 29 March, Soweto’s Orlando stadium produced another of those moments as the Blue Bulls beat the Stormers as the nation watched.
But perhaps Friday June 11, just five days from now, will eclipse all of those dates as Bafana take on Mexico in the opening game of the football World Cup.
For this will be so much more than a sporting event. It is gleaming evidence that we are a deserving member of the global community of nations.
We have built, we have organised, we have put on our yellow shirts, we have decorated our houses, our places of work and the whole country with the flags of the world.
We know that our coach and our great football team, Bafana Bafana, have prepared with discipline, dedication and belief. Now is the time to shine.
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United), .
Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Pirates).
Midfielders: Surprise Moriri, Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Teko Modise (Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala (both Kaizer Chiefs), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows).
Strikers: Katlego Mphela (Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Holland).
SHOP stewards from the National Union Mineworkers have decided to go ahead with a national strike on May 26, two weeks before the kick-off of the football World Cup and on the day that the first foreign team arrives on South Africa.
This from Sapa:
The strike – which was suspended last year pending negotiations- would begin on May 26 and a massive march would take place to Megawatt Park, Eskom’s headquarters.
“Workers demand that Eskom should address all their outstanding issues from last year’s negotiation cycle,” the NUM said in a statement.
This included a housing allowance.
“Amid several marches and memoranda delivered to Eskom, the parastatal is yet to respond to the demands.”
Eskom was not able to comment immediately.
These sorts of labour issues ought to have been settled some time ago in a compact between government, labour and business designed to avoid ugly scenes while South African is on show to the world.
We now face the prospect of disruptions to electricity supply as the cup gets underway.
This must be treated as a national emergency and our political and trade union leadership must step in to avoid a catastrophe.
Here it is, the nearly final squad (the last 23 are to be named on June 1) for SA’s World Cup challenge. (Okay, it’s not quite the final squad as we still don’t know who will be the 30th player) I think we are being seriously underrated if you look at the talent we can field. My starting 11 is in bold – Whoooohooooo!
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United), Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld)
Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Bryce Moon (PAOK), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Steven Pienaar (Everton), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan)
Strikers: Benni McCarthy (West Ham), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente).
