A repeat performance for Brazil?

By Bongani Mtshwene

@B0ngzz

I

n 1950, Brazil lost the world cup to Argentina in their own backyard. On this occasion, it seems that they are losing it to time.

Brazil faces a number of delays regarding to world cup preparations, probably the worst in recent times.

When Brazil hosted the world cup in 1950, the tournament was described as chaotic and disorganised, and much of the same air currently overshadows the country’s world cup preparations.

Brazil’s first stint as hosts of the world cup was a logistical nightmare due to groups and venues which were not matched accordingly. Teams had to frequently trek up and down the large land mass, 8,514,212 km² to be exact (which is way larger than South Africa).

Withdrawals from visiting teams, the lack of a cemented fixture schedule, and the incomplete Maracana stadium was the biggest problems they faced.

The burning question now is how Brazil will react as the past threatens to play out in the present.

Here are a couple of Brazil’s woes at the moment:

• ·         The GDP has plummeted from 7, 5% in 2010 to just 0, 9% in 2012 and continues to dwindle.

• ·         There are delays in the electricity projects in half of the host cities.

• ·         The Brazil government fears that water rationing will hit the host city during the tournament, following a record dry summer.

• ·         The percentage of those in favour of the World Cup has fallen from 79% in 2008 to 48% in April 2014. Fifa Secretary-general Jerome Valcke maintains a new Fif a survey in May reveals that 57% of Brazilians are excited about the tournament, and the number looks displeasing.

• ·         Labour action and protests could still disrupt the event. Although protests have cooled since last year when more than a million people took to the streets.

• ·         Ailing infrastructure (just 1, 5% of Brazil’s GDP is invested in infrastructure) also raises the cost of goods. That can’t be good for tourists.

• ·         Eight construction workers have died on the job, while only two died in South Africa ahead of the 2010 world cup. This causes concern about the safety of the workers and usability of the sites.

• ·         Work continues on some stadia that have since been handed over to Fifa on May 20^th.

To add to more of Brazil’s problems, in Germany in 2006, stadiums were ready to be tested in January of that year and South Africa met the deadline a few weeks before the event in 2010.

What worries critics the most is how South Africa managed to beat Brazil pound for pound regarding planning for the tournament.

South Africa was a first time host whereas Brazil has had experience with an event of this scale.

Looking closer to home South Africa had been criticised for taking too long to construct and refurbish some of the stadia but by the end of the group stages, the Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke felt secure enough to joke that South Africa had been so successful that it would become "plan B" for all future tournaments.

A few feats that Mzansi can brag about:

• ·         All 10 stadia being completed with weeks to spare.

• ·         A crime free confederations and world cup tournament, in spite of South Africa being listed as a crime hotspot.

• ·         The BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system in Johannesburg that assisted in transporting people to and from the match venues and fan parks. South Africa has done relatively well in comparison to countries like Germany and Korea which both have bullet trains.

• ·         With over 4 million visitors, the vivid memory of vuvuzelas, and fan parks packed to the brim, no one can say the country wasn’t behind the event. Even in the face of a Bafana Bafana loss during the group stages, the country rallied behind Ghana, showing the world what African unity is.

• ·         Infrastructure development is one of the legacies the world cup has left behind.

• ·         130 000 jobs were created, most of which were temporary construction work but some of them remained sustainable, some of which are security and stadium management.

• ·         In December 2010 Fifa president Sepp Blatter rated South Africa’s organisational efforts 9 out of 10.

After thorough success on African soil, one can’t help but wonder how Brazil is going to fair this time around.

With the event less than two weeks away from kick-off, Brazil’s credibility has been questioned. This is not a good thing, especially because they are to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

The World Cup has also stoked another favourite topic of discussion among Brazilians — the famed “custo Brasil” (cost of Brazil); steep costs that are fuelled in part by high taxes.

As a result, Big Mac meal, in this instance would cost almost R93, double what it costs in SA, and at this rate Brazil would need a miracle to host a world cup half as breathtakingly effective as that of South Africa.

Will Brazil make it in time?

That question will be answered next weekend.

Brazil is definitely a tourist destination but I don’t think I can stomach a Big Mac that costs 100 bucks. Just saying.

A worthy legacy? A look at the 2010 World Cup.

By Sisonke Mlamla

For football fans across South Africa, the words “world cup” conjures images of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the dazzle of skill and flair.

No one doubts football can be a route to achieving goals big and small.  But fast forward to now; it’s been four years since South Africa’s played host to the prestigious tournament. And we have to ask what have South Africans gained? 

The hosting of 2010 showpiece was promised by the South Africa government to its people that social and economic benefits would accrue.  

A reflection of post world cup period and considering billions of rands spent on staging this global event, questions about the longterm benefits of the tournament have been posed. 

Contrary to the massive expectations, the ongoing problems that still persist in our society after hosting the world cup have propelled some to question whether it was worth it.

Undoubtedly, South Africa hosting the FIFA 2010 world cup, which was a first for the African continent, excited all Africans, particular the poor who never dreamt of staging such a competition.

How funny times move.  The world cup has come and gone, but the question still stands what legacy has it brought to us?

                                                                                

Four years, and yes, we could argue that South Africa benefited from the multi-billion rand investment in Infrastructure development brought by the event. 

We could even say that the country has transformed in significant ways. For example, Eskom spent R84-billion, mostly on energy generation, transmission and distribution, and in the post-world cup phase, this has had an lasting impact. 

Transnet spent R47-billion, with R40-billion of this went to harbours, ports, railways and a petroleum pipeline; and without a doubt this has improved the transport system in the country especially in host cities such as Durban and Cape Town. 

The Gautrain was completed, the Rea Vaya bus transport and the state of roads were improved because of the World Cup. 

Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) spent R5.2-billion on airport improvement and the Dube Trade Port, while R19.7-billion went to water infrastructure and this has improved its operation systems. 

Massive infusion of cash and capital inflows into South Africa was good in that it increased Gross Domestic Product and Tax revenue. Also there were gains in foreign direct investment and also a boost in tourism. 

Many companies benefited and employment at micro level increased in tourism, catering etc. The policing system in the country benefited a lot and crime rates in South Africa has dropped significantly. 

The revamped roads and street lights, new parks and clean streets are all obvious benefits from the World Cup. But the challenge post world cup is how to maintain them.

 

However, despite the obvious benefits visible, South Africa as a nation continues to battle with problems such as poor housing, prostitution, HIV pandemic. Many feel that a chunk of the 2O10 world cup proceeds would have been used better if it was channelled towards catering for basic needs and serving the poor. 

From revenue generated FIFA was the winner in terms of pocketing more than the SA government.

Scenes like what happened on the 3^rd of June; the eviction of people from the Lwandle informal settlement in Strand, Cape Town (www.iol.co.za) are some of the unintended consequences of the world cup. 

The billions spent on world cup that could have been used to help these people; the homeless and poor. 

On the 4^th of June 2014 five people, including three children, died in Johannesburg shack fire at the informal settlement of Vlakfontein

What legacy can we claim after the world cup? Is it the Marikana crisis? Bucket system? iNkandla?

Is it looting of foreign shops?

Despite all the controversy, no one can argue against the fact FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa did reinforce social unity in a country marked by deep racial division.

Grassroots soccer has benefited from the proceeds of FIFA funding. ABSA premiership teams have also benefited from the state-of-the-art stadiums and training facilities.

Our level of football has dropped though. 

One thing that hasn’t happened is world cup inspired improvement of our national team.

Where do women belong in South Africa?

By Thandi Bombi

The Government has been sending mixed messages to the country in the weeks that have followed the national elections. 

Once the Premier lists for the provinces under the ANC were released, it was clear to everyone where the ANC thought women belonged. 

In that process; three female Premiers lost their positions and two of these were lost to men. 

The women however, were not discarded but rather placed in the positions of speakers in the provincial legislature. This means seven out of the eight ANC Premiers are of the male species.  

Can we really blame the ANC though? 

A decline in electoral support for the party in provinces in the 2014 election would have played a huge role in the selection of the person set to steer the provinces toward the 2016 polls. This is just an indication of what the ANC believes is the reason they are losing votes.

So the answer to the first question posed remains unanswered, but, what we do know where women don’t belong, and that is on ANC Premier Lists.

Is there really a place for women in a country where men feel the need to ensure that their women stay in line or pay the consequences?

Oscar Pistorius for example sits under public scrutiny for shooting his girlfriend. Headlines are quick to mention what a hero Pistorius was and still is to some. How he is suffering from so much anguish because of what has happened. How hard Gerrie Nell is being on him. 

We are bombarded with YouTube links to “Oscar in tears” or “Oscar Breakdown”. All this to a man that may or may not have murdered his beloved partner.

Where is Reeva Steenkamp in all this?

Dead… Buried… Forgotten.

Regardless of whether he intended to or not, the woman suffered and that has been overshadowed by Pistorius’ need to restore his amazing reputation. 

Closer to home we have lost another woman. Amanda Tweyi (21), a 3rd year BSc student at Rhodes University is believed to have been shot and killed by her boyfriend Nkosinathi Nqabisa. 

Although we can only speculate as to the events leading to this young woman’s death, it is clear that there was some kind of violence against her as a woman. Even though Nqabisa is unable to explain his way out of the murder charges, one still wonders what is it Tweyi did, for him to feel the need to put her in her place… Where she belongs.

So…Where do women belong in South Africa?

I am yet to figure that out but so far it seems they belong under the leadership of a man or in the grave.

A QUESTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY

By Dumisile Masuku
 
A fine line that distinguishes accountability from responsibility in a democratic country like South Africa. 

Accountability is when every decision you make as a public figure that occupies a high portfolio that affects the lives of ordinary citizens is not only important but is absolutely critical.

It is rather sad to learn that 20 years into democracy, the importance of accountability has been a dwindling phenomenon from the high class rippling down to the lower class. 

This makes it hard to determine who must take the blame. Is it the government or the people themselves who have elected that government?

The aftermath of the 2014 general elections in South Africa has once again granted the ANC the power to remain the ruling party despite previous outcries about service delivery and corruption.

“I feel that the president has failed to be accountable to his actions in this country because he has remained president even though he has outstanding fraud cases, and the ANC has only made empty promises and it has been unable to deliver”, says Lethuxolo Nxumalo.

When President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma announced his new cabinet soon after his official inauguration at the union buildings in Pretoria, the whole nation waited in anticipation of the fate of the Ministers; those who were unexpectedly ousted as well as those who would be embarking on a journey to drive Zuma’s second term of leadership.

Therefore, the big question that one may cautiously ask is who is to be held accountable for the fact that Angie Motsekga maintained her post even though according to most commentators, she did not deserve to return to parliament. 

Is it the government itself, or the society for singing Motshekga’s praises after the slight improvement of the matric pass rate in 2013.

This is despite a series of textbooks sagas that have engulfed the Minister since her tenure in office.

The public has expressed dissatisfaction against Motshekga because the blunders which have occurred in the Education Department under her reign were completely intolerable and have compromised the dignity of education in South Africa.

However, there are those who feel that despite some of the ‘loose strings’ from the South African government, there are some areas whereby the country can still be proud of. 

“Yes the government is still not where it is supposed to be but gradually it is going there, an issue of accountability is not an easy matter hence the society also needs to play a role in order to meet the government halfway”, added Mbongwa Nxumalo.

Dr Ramphela Ramphele, has recently condemned the IEC chairwoman Pansy Tlakula’s failure to act accountable, after a forensic investigation revealed that an IEC building sitting in Pretoria-was not found to have undergone a process that was fair, transparent, nor cost-effective.  It found that Tlakula did not give guidance or formally inform various people about what was expected of them in the process.

Moreover Ramphele criticized the president himself for failing to lead by example, describing his actions as a culture of impunity that ensured he did not have to be accountable for costly security upgrades to his private Nkandla homestead in KwaZulu-Natal.

A review into the past few years reveals that the current state of the South African democratic landscape in terms of accountability became more prevalent since President Jacob Zuma came into power. 

A radical question that one may opt to ask is that did former president Thabo Mbeki leave an open fissure prior his departure that needed to be dealt with first?

Or perhaps, Zuma’s starting point as president was completely driven by wrong motives and a ruptured agenda which might have emerged from his dark past with tycoon Shabir Shaik?

In 2010, soon after Zuma became president, the country has seen Zuma’s nephew Khulubuse Zuma accumulate wealth through tenders in mines that were worth millions, through unaccountable processes. 

Thus the phenomena of irregular tenders has continued to form an unfavourable trend and is still questionable in the country.

“Tenders are still granted to certain individuals who have not undergone the rightful process, whereas those who deserve the opportunity are not recognised”, says Thamsanqa Dlamini. 

He added that the government still has a long way to go because so far it has set an image that is corrupt, not to mention unaccountable.

Therefore, with all that has been said and done, it is hard to insinuate that there is ever going to be any change in terms of the government finally gaining the conscious to take full ownership when it comes to accountability towards the society. 

This is merely because the society itself has a role to play, because at the end of the day those who are in power do not end up there on their own, they are elected by a people who have to entrust them with the weighty job governance.

20 years on yet there’s more to be done

 

 



By Siyamthanda Capa

On the 27^th April 1994 South Africans queued at voting stations to cast their vote for the very first time a miraculous moment for all. Twenty years into democracy, are we making progress or are we losing the plot?

It is of no uncertainty that South Africa is a better place to live in now than it was in 1994.

Indeed, as South Africans, we’ve come a long way. Gone are the days when a majority of South Africans were refused the right to vote; now they have the right to choose not to vote at all.

The long awaited 1994 election came, promises were made and expectations were raised. The ANC Manifesto 1994 focused mainly on improving the quality of life and promotined a democratic South Africa.

So did they deliver?

The first post-apartheid Census was conducted in 1996, according to Statistics South Africa, 60.7% of South Africans had access to running water. In 2011 73.4% had access to running water. Numbers show that the living conditions of 14.3% of South Africans were improved. What about the 27.6% with no running water?

In 1994 the unemployment rate was 20%, however, in 2014, the unemployment rate stands at 25.2%.  It’s no news that in terms of employment, the government has failed South Africa’s youth.

In the public sphere too, things have changed. The press was promised freedom, but in April 2013, South Africans saw the Protection of State Information Bill passed in parliament.

So do we have anything at all to celebrate?

The question was posed once again in an interesting debate on Interface. The discussion went on, however, at the end of the debate, presenter Tembisa Marele was left without an answer.

“Our government has done an exceptional job in rolling out policies and offering citizens a good legal framework, however they face a challenge when it comes to implementing them” said Sisonke Msimang who is Director of advocacy for the Sonke Gender and Justice.

South Africa has come a long way and a lot is yet to be done but the question still stands: To celebrate or not to celebrate? Twenty years into democracy are you as an individual satisfied with the quality of services you receive from our government?

Election Fever is gone, what is next for our country?

By Sandisio Ndlovana

The election buzz and feel is truly beyond us now. Political parties spent much time devising strategies and invested millions in efforts to convince voters.

The voting citizens were kept abreast about recent occurrences and the coverage was not-to-be-missed. The word manifestos became recognisable with us all. And in campaign season, voters were held to task in an effort to separate the prima donnas from the blueprint.

No doubt the exercise of assessing which party to vote for was a daunting task, particularly for those ‘born-free’. Essentially, what a voter requires is accountability from their chosen leader. The great neglect is the inability of the citizen to follow up on the progress made by whoever is elected.

It is often said that the true test for voting preference is the service delivery that follows. From a satisfaction point, one may safely assert that the time frame for evaluating advancement on the issue is primitive. But after the magic ‘x’ has been cast, what does the broader outcome mean?

We have witnessed everything regarding the past elections. Each of us knows where his/her favourite political party stands. Now what must we expect from our representatives?

The ANC has always talked about the national development plan. The citizen believed and voted despite all negative things said about the ANC. The question, however, is what are the ANC's plans for change and for creating good image for the organization that seemingly has been ruined. Are we going to see more or less of corruption cases, strikes, internal dispute and disagreement within the organization’s alliance?

What about the president? Mr. Jacob Zuma, is regarded as the least competent president ever lead democratic South Africa. Should the country expect another scandal after the controversial Nkandla house upgrade? With his leadership, where should we expect the country to be the next time people cast votes? Will the opposing political parties be strong enough to shake the ANC throne?

We haven’t had good news about the official opposition party recently. The DA, since their parliament leader Lindiwe Mazibuko left to study overseas; there have been big stories about the party's internal dispute. Reports say the DA leader Mrs. Zille launched a scathing attack against Miss Mazibuko. According to Sunday times, this attack has sent shock waves through DA, which is embroiled in a bitter battle over black leadership.

At a federal executive last Friday, Zille said she has made Mazibuko and saved her several times. She implied that Mazibuko had been incompetent and that she had been of her depth. However, federal executive chair James Selfe said on Saturday that the meeting had not been tense and emotive,'' there was an honest and frank debate. It was robust but without rancor and there was a great deal of honesty'', he said.

Zille's attack on her parliament leader come a week after Mazibuko announced she was resigning from her post in order to study at Harvard in the US. Earlier in the week, Zille said that there had been a strong possibility that Mazibuko would have lost the election as the DA's parliament leader. She said that she had offered Mazibuko the Gauteng premier candidacy but that had turned down. With such issues surrounding DA, the people who voted for them must surely be losing confidence in the party.

On the other hand, the most controversial political party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) seems to have a plan. They say they will use parliament seats efficiently. Party member ,Mr Dali Mpofu said, ''the EFF is the government in waiting''.


A young 14 year old boy Jacqueline Mojela from Johannesburg said '' Julius Malema is like a father to me, I want to fellow in his footsteps’’.

If the young generation feels so about EFF leader, these could be the sign of a brighter future for the organization. Hopefully, the EFF will stick to its motto and  serve the people as promised

With all political parties facing challenges after the elections; some have lost many votes when comparing to the 2009 elections, others are experiencing internal dispute about who will represent them at the national parliament. Surely then, the next elections will be far more interesting then the recent.

The citizens at large are expecting change and I have no doubt in mind that the next five years is crucial for South African politics.