Vila Kasi News Issue 5 (2 June 2015)

Eskom Chaos Pg 2 To Advertise or if you dont receive a copy of Vila Kasi News contact us Managing Editor: Channon Merricks Chairperson: Nelson Mthembu Tel: (011) 040 - 1828 Email: [email protected] Website: www.vilIasksuaseinNeuwms.bceor.z: a5 Date: 3 June 2015 - 15 June 2015Vila Kasi News @vilakasinews 074 717 7126 086 600 8302‘LONG WALK TO ECONOMIC FREEDOM’Pretoria - Celebrating in song with his supporters outside the High Court in Pretoria, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malemasaid the withdrawal of the sequestration order against him by the country’s revenue service was a victory for constitutional democracy.Addressing hundreds of supporters gathered outside the North Gauteng High Court on Monday afternoon, Malema said to loud applause:“This is not a victory for the EFF or for Malema, this is a victory for our constitutional democracy. It was shown today that our judiciary isfunctioning.”The SA Revenue Services had earlier on Monday withdrawn the sequestration order against Malema.The SA Revenue Services (Sars) was an important institution, and should not be used for political gain, Malema said.“I heard some of you saying Sars must fall…Sars must stay and collect taxes because the poorest of the poor depend on our taxes. This was nota fight against Sars…there are elements who want to play the political ball through state institutions,” he said. “We want a functioning Sars.”He added that he did not steal any money.“I told you I did not do anything wrong, I never stole from the poor. I was told I owed tax, and I made an agreement with Sars and paid. Thishere today was a political programme by (President Jacob) Zuma.”Supporters, clad in EFF regalia, were bused in from neighbouring provinces and police were forced to cordon off Madiba Street and the courtprecinct with rolls of barbed wire. No vehicles were allowed through. - by Gertrude Makhafola 3 June - 15 June 2015 Vila Kasi News Issue 5| Page 1 of 8

VILA KASI NEWS ‘NO StOrY to BIG or small’Soweto’s On Fire T he residents of Orlando West were up in arms from the crack of dawn to disrupt the daily commute through their neighbourhood. They did so because they feel ESKOM disrupts their lives just the same. Rising up against meters that they say are not only faulty but are robbing the unemployed blind. The elderly are being forced to make a plan for power because their pension money cannot begin to cover the cost of keeping the lights on! After many hours a representative from Eskom was deployed to diffuse the situation. Instead of listening to their cries, he lectured them and angered them further. Their rage could only be quelled by the rubber bullets of the Johannesburg metro police as the protesters took to the streets with a fire that burnt d hotter than the burning tyres in the blockadeEskom Under SiegeS anco, and various branches of the anc the ancyl and cosatu in the province of gauteng were united in a show of strength against ESKOM to deliver a memorandum. As well as a list of demands, with a heavy police presence and an escort they marched from uncle Tom’s hall in Orlando West to the Eskom offices in diepkloof where they handed the memo over to Mr Bandile Jack of Eskom who accepted it and said they would address the issues thereinThis is an original unedited copy of the 3. We demand the installation of energy saving devices such as solar geysers inmemorandum handed over to Bandile Jack of our homes, public institutions and business sites.Eskom 4. We demand the installation of ESKOM suppliedvending machines that areOUR DEMANDS: As SANCO and our alli- accessible to thepublic and wherein there is no charge paid to a middleman.ance partners we have listened to our people 5. We demand proper education and awareness campaigns to be done for allacross Johannesburg regarding the frustrations residents in order to debunk the myth created that pre-paid meters are theconcerning ESKOM and now put forward the worst thing ever done.following demands to ESKOM: 6. We demand that ESKOM introduces alternative sources of renewable energy1. We demand a public apology from ESKOM- to ease the burden on the economically depressed communities.for cutting power supply to the residents of 7. We demand that in house holds where there are sub-tenants in the form ofSoweto for more than 10 hours on Friday 08 back rooms and or shacks; each sub-tenant be provided with its own meter inMay 2015. This apology must be made within order to ensure that everyone pays for the services they receive.24 hours from now. 8. We demand that ESKOM puts in a place a query resolution team that will at- tend to the long outstanding, current and on-going queries raised by residents2. We demand proper consultation by ESKOM in relation to the high electricity bills they have received.prior to the roll out of any program in ourcommunities. This consultation must involveward Councilors, Ward Committees,local stakeholders and members of the publicthrough ward public meetings. State VS Marikana VictimsThe EFF & AMCU marched to the Constitutional Court, theState was appealing against the High Court and SupremeCourt ruling that Legal Aid Board must pay for the legalrepresentatives of the Marikana Massacre Victims, both thedeceased and victims.The court will make a ruling in due course Vila Kasi News subscribes to the South African Press code that prescribes news that is truthfull,accurate, fair and balanced. If we dont live to the code, please contact the Press Ombudsman at (011) 484 3612/8 Fax: (011) 484 3619 Website: www.presscouncil.org.za 3 June - 15 June 2015 Vila Kasi News Issue 5| Page 2 of 8

VILA KASI NEWS ‘NO StOrY to BIG or small’E-tolls: How Cyril Ramaphosa Cracked itDeputy President Cyril Ramaphosa engineered a last-minute e-toll deal thathas, in effect, ensured a flat rate for all Gauteng motorists – whether they havee-tags or not – to the chagrin of national transport and Treasury officials.In a bid to please the ANC in Gauteng, which wanted more concessions one-tolls, Ramaphosa rejected a proposal that would have seen the monthly capon e-tolls for those with e-tags reduced from R450 to R390 and reduced ratesper kilometre for those with e-tags.But despite his efforts, the anger against e-tolls has increased among Gautengmotorists. They have remained defiant in the face of government threats thatmotorists with outstanding toll debts will not be able to renew their licencediscs.However, motorists who want to dodge e-toll payments by registering theircars in other provinces are in for a shock. New regulations that will allow otherprovinces to pick up their information are in the pipeline.City Press has been informed by well-placed sources in the provincial ANCand national transport department that when the initial deal was first presentedto the ANC’s top six officials at Luthuli House, ANC Gauteng chairpersonPaul Mashatile objected, saying the concessions did not offer enough relief forGauteng motorists.At the time, Ramaphosa was in Indonesia attending the Asia-Africa BusinessSummit. Upon his return late last month, he met the technical team on e-tolls.The team comprised officials from Sanral, the national transport department,National Treasury and those from the Gauteng government.Sources said it was at this meeting, which took place at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, where Ramaphosa insisted that the current deal – which has seen monthly caps reduced to R225and all motorists, even those without e-tags, paying the same kilometre rates – be implemented. A few officials on the team tried to object, saying such an agreement would be detrimental for Sanral, but Ramaphosa said it was a political decision and they had to accept it.“He was getting agitated,” said a senior government source. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa confirmed that the meeting had taken place, but insisted he had pushed for thebest deal, which involved compromises on both sides.“The current deal in its form is a consequence of a multiple layer of discussions between national government and the provincialgovernment, as well as at political level, and was finally approved by Cabinet.”The ANC in Gauteng has been pushing hard against e-tolls with many in the province convinced that the issue led to the 10% decline in last year’s general elections. Last year, GautengPremier David Makhura announced that the province would set up a panel to review the impact of e-tolls on the province’s motorists. This led to a clash with national government,which insisted that Gauteng had no authority to review national policy.In October, the ANC in the province resolved at its elective conference to reject e-tolls in their present form.Ramaphosa was then tasked to intervene between the province and national government to find a workable solution. This was after Gauteng was informed by National Treasury that itwould have to fund any shortfalls resulting from a reduction in e-toll rates. A deal was finally arrived at after months of wrangling. In terms of the initial deal, the monthly amountpayable for e-tolls would have been R390, motorists with e-tags would pay a reduced rate and some passes under gantries would be free.National officials then pushed Gauteng to agree to the deal. But Mashatile and his provincial executive pushed for more concessions. Sources who were at the Luthuli House meeting said Makhura seemed embarrassed when Mashatile rejected the deal being presented to ANC officials, who included President Jacob Zuma. “Makhura was staring at the floor whenMashatile said no to the deal,” said the insider. Those in the Gauteng ANC who were pushing for a total scrapping of e-tolls are said to be unhappy with Makhura, saying he hadcompromised too much. Makhura’s spokesperson Thabo Masebe, who said he could not comment on meetings that took place at a political level, was adamant that the province haddone all it could to lessen the e-toll burden on motorists.“As the province, we are happy with the new dispensation as it addresses many of the key recommendations of the panel we set up. We believe this dispensation will mitigate the negativeaspects identified by the panel. We have listened and we took action.” National transport department spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said the minister, Dipuo Peters, was working with allnine MECs to close any loopholes that might be related to e-tolls and traffic fines.He said they were in the process of finalising regulations to ensure that those who have e-toll debts inGauteng do not evade payment by registering their cars in other provinces. A number of large insurance companies have said that they will not pay out claims if a driver with an expiredlicense disc is involved in an accident.THE TWO DEALSDEAL ONE: E-tolls are retained, but not in their current form, The monthly cap on e-tolls fees is reduced to R390, Twenty free passes under gantries a year, There are no flat tariffs(those with e-tags pay a reduced kilometre rate) and Gauteng funds the expected shortfall of between R180 million and R450 million.RAMAPHOSA’S DEAL:. E-toll system is retained but not in current form. The standard tariff of 58c per kilometre for light motor vehicles will be reduced to 30c per kilometre. A single tariff will apply to all motorists in a vehicle class whether they have an e-tag or not. E-toll fees that are outstanding will be discounted by 60%. Motorists passing through the gantries fewer than 30 times a year will be exempt from payingTalk to us: Are you buying Cyril Ramaphosa’s new deal? Will you start paying for e-tolls? - Caiphus Kgosana 3 June - 15 June 2015 Vila Kasi News Issue 5| Page 3 of 8

VILA KASI NEWS ‘NO StOrY to BIG or small’ SOWETO CLASSIFIEDS JUST FLOORS Million Dollar funiture KUMBOEDZA Specials in: Laminated wooden flooring, wall Manufacturers of Wardrobes, Kitchen Units, Kitchen Sales and Hardware. Furniture fittings, to wall carpeting, undertile heating, under- Peddar Stells, Flower Stands, Site Tables, Cof- transport for hire, we cut & edge, do wrappdoors at lower price of all sizes. White Melamine Board, Super capert heating. fee Tables, Chester Drawers. Mr Shabier Shiak Wood, Cheap Board and All Colour Boards. Cell 1: 072 960 7864 Mr David Majola Email: [email protected] Cell: 073 510 8531 Mrs Matrtha Mhlanga Web: www.justfloors.co.za Cell 1: 084 924 3106 /079 356 9797 Fax:(011) 936 1527 Email:[email protected] KHAABO TOMBSTONES MENDES THARI ENTSHO Mr Nthatho Nkwandi DSTV, OVHD, CCTV & ZAP. MultiChoice. Cooperative Financial Institution Tel: 011 536 – 1165 Fax: 086 653 9901 Enriching lives. Malawian, Mozambican and Cooperative Bank Cell 1: 072 377 9287 Hope Channel Specialist. Email: [email protected] Mr. Matshepo Moloi Website: www.khaabomedia.co.za Mr Mendes Tel: 011 947 – 2911 Cell 1: 079 272 2397 Tel: 011 048 – 6161 Cell 1: 078 468 3235 Email: [email protected] TYDEL TOOLS & INDUSTRIAL Anver’s Car Sales NKUMINE ALUMINIUM SUPPLIES No Deposite 60 months to Pay Specialising in Aluminium Windows, Sales & repairs to all makes of power tools Mr Anver Gani Sliding Doors, Shop Fronts and Skylites. suppliers of hand tools, air tools & abrasives. Tel: 011 854 – 2840 Fax: 011 854 – 4856 Mr. Manecus Mr Tyrone Julius Cell 1: 082 954 2120 Email: [email protected] Tel: 011 474 – 9413 Tel: 011 474 – 3284 Fax: 011 474 – 9429 Cell 1: 083 749 7437 Cell 1: 082 891 4831 Email: [email protected] KHAABO TOMBSTONES S.A. UPHOLSTERY & GC Shopfitters MOTOR TRIMMERS We specialise in Tombstones, Gravemarkers, Specialists in: Exhibition Stands,BIC,Partitioning, Programmes, Sandblasting and Photoblasting Services: Chairs, Household Sofas, Truck & Car Seats and Hospital Bedding etc. Ceilings Mr Nthatho Nkwandi Mr Felix Nkuna Mr. George Tel: 011 536 – 1165 Cell 1: 082 802 4780 Fax: 086 600 8973 Tel: 011 474 – 6444 Fax: 011 474 – 5333 Email: [email protected] Cell 1: 073 502 7695 Cell 1: 082 968 4547 Website: www.khaabotomstones.co.za Email: [email protected] Nexdor Restaurant / Thirteen ZOMBODZE’S Deons Upholsters 54 The Grill Approved by: Alexander Forbes, Hollard, Mutual & Manufacturers & upholsterers of exclusive Mr Thabang Makwetla lounge suites Tel: (011) 039 – 7631 Federal and Santam, Spray Painting & Panel Beating Mr. Deon Playandi Email: [email protected] Tel: 011 474 – 2361 Fax: 011 474 – 2361 Website: www.nexdor.co.za Mr Mdumiseni Nkosi Cell 1:084 825 7821 Tel: 011 074 – 6114 Fax: 011 939 – 2232 Email: [email protected] Cell 1: 082 543 9402 Email: [email protected] Tavern Restaurant THEMBU TRADING SOWERFUN FURNITURE SERVICES Mr Anthony/ John Manufacturers of Wardrobes, Mr Joe Mathebula Kitchen Units, Peddar Stells, Tel: 011 938 – 3555 Cell 1: 074 928 6602 Flower Stands, Site Tables, Coffee Cell 2: 074187 3019 Tel: 011 938 – 9068 Fax: 086 503 0348 Tables, Chester Drawers. Email: [email protected] Cell 1: 084 787 6167 Mr Frank Rasehlapa Website: www.tavern.co.za Cell 1:083 487 1712 DZE DZE TRAVEL AND H DUBE PROMOTIONS MC Tents TOURS Ceiling tiles and Cornices Marquees of all sizes, Canvas tents all sizes, Canvas Mr. Siboniso Dhlamini Wholesaler tents for bakkies LW/B, Truck, Tarpaulins, Banners, Canvas for houses, lapa’s, restaurants, roll up canvas, Cell 1: 078 953 9400 Mr H.Dube repairs of tents and canvas. Fax: 086 260 6733 Mr Elec Email: [email protected] Cell 1: 072 589 7133 Website: www.dztours.co.za Cell 1: 079 403 4225 Fax: 086 244 6179 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] D & D BOARDS Summerland Dairy Juice Khaabo Florist & Accessories We specialise in Flower Furniture fittings, transport for hire, we cut & edge, Blend & Fruit Juice Concetrated Assorted Jams. do wrap-doors at lower price of all sizes. White Ready to drink Sachet Arrangements for All Occassions! Melamine Board, Super Wood, Cheap Board and All Mrs Lebo Nkwandi Colour Boards Mr Lucas Mngomezulu Tel: 011 536 – 1165 Mrs Matrtha Mhlanga Regional Sales Cell 1: 082 802 4780 Fax: 011 936 1527 Tel: 011 938 9790 Fax: 086 659 9790 Email: [email protected] Cell 1: 084 924 3106 / 079 356 9797 Cell 1: 082 967 8187 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 011 - 040 - 1828 Ngcwabe Properties Mamfiso Education Arts BOLUCO Email: [email protected] & Nature Bongani Ngcwabe We do aluminium: Windows and Doors, Garagewww.vilakasinews.co.za Mrs Lindiwe Mngomezulu Tel: 011 942 – 3908 Fax:011 941 – 3899 Cell 1: 076 467 5447 Doors, Sliding Doors, Shop Fronts and Showers Cell 1: 082 666 3250 Email: bongani.ngcwabe@ngcwabe- Mr Bongani Selepe prop.com Website: www.ngcwabeprop. com Tel: 011 047 0648 Fax: 086 659 4872 Cell 1: 076 264 9342 Email: [email protected] Website: www.boluco.co.za Let us meet your budget. 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VILA KASI NEWS ‘NO StOrY to BIG or small’ SOWETOCLASSIFIEDSSOWETO MANUFACTURING & Copy n print RAGENT TRADING thrive CAFE (Pty) Ltd INVESTMENT Sienace & Internet Cafe APPETITE FOR LIFE Mr M Anthony We specialize in Candle for: Birthadys, Res-Clothing manufacturing, embroidery, design Tel: 011 852 4988 taurants, Churches, Valentines, Wholesales, Mrs Thembi Mahlangu & digitizing Cell: 074 828 4015 Email: anthonymakwara@gmail. Hotels, Chain Stores & House hold Tel: 011 536 1838Mr Bafana Cebekulu Cell: 084 887 7313Tel: 011 024 8672 Mrs Palesa Hlongwane Email: [email protected] 1: 082 582 3909 Website: www.thrivecafe.co.zaEmail: [email protected] Cell 1: 073 161 1987 Email:[email protected] Decor Five Dudhia Tyres Auto Pedigree TOBY’S MOTOR SPARES Sale RepresentativeWe Do Interior Upholstery & Ottoman NEW TYERS * RETREADS * SHOCKS * EXHAUST SPARES & FAST FOOD - Couches - Headboards - Occational * BALANCING & ALIGNMENT Cell: 073 061 2503 Fax: 087 236 0284 Email: tshepo.molefe@autopedigree. Mr Sibusiso Makwak Chairs Mr Afzal Dudhia co.zaMr Bruno Nyambose Cell: 083 786 8912 Tel: 011 938 8912/7916 Website: autopedigree.co.za Tel: 011 982 6093Cell 1: 078 218 4210 Fax: 011 938 7930 Cell 1: 084 316 6529Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] PANEL BEATERS < Zenala > DAILY MORNINNG Pty(Ltd) Ntuthu Curtain & PAINTERS Specialist Business Solution * Free lancing * Media lauches * Press Conferences &Mr Vusi Simelane / Sibusiso Mr Nhlanhla Masuku Other Events * Service provider * Potraits Mr Maria Mini Tel: 011 933 2856 Fax: 011 933 7624 Cell 1: 073 166 2489Tel: 011 536 2113 Cell 1: 076 704 2210 * Photographer in all aspects in media activities &Cell 1: 082 342 4660 Email: [email protected] News. *Cell 2: 072 246 4340 Website: www.zenala.co.za Mr Gladwell.V. Ntusi Tel: 011 474 – 9413 Cell 1: 083 749 7437 Email: [email protected] Website: www.dailymorning.com GYM COMPANY ACME Rhuthana Pty (Ltd) PREMIERMr Makhosi MOTOR SALVAGE (Pty) Ltd Mr Thabo Modise SAFTY FOOTWARE MANUFACTURESTel: 011 938 9457 Cell 1: 073 322 8347 Tel: 011 536 1237 Mr Richard ReddiarEmail: [email protected] Mr Collin Moya Cell 1: 073 635 3678 Tel: 011 933 1711 Fax: 011 933 2014Website: www.gymcompany.co.za Tel: 011 943 3901 Email: [email protected] Cell 1: 082 705 5575 Cell 1: 082 218 6629 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.premiersaftey.co.za Resturant Vilakasi 3@1 Maponya Mall M.P.P.P Lyndo’s Auto RepairsMr Phillmon STATIONARY Woods and funiture fittingTel: (011) 057 1290 Mr LyndoEmail: [email protected] Tel: 011 938 3983 Fax: 011 938 3984 Supplier of Chip board and We do edg-Website: www.resturantvilakasi co.za Email: [email protected] ing and Cutting to size Tel: 011 342 3817 Cell 1: 082 928 7943 Tel: 011 047 16644 Fax: 011 936 4382 Cell 1:0842 711 2538 Masibumbane Premchem L.S. POTTERY MANUFACTURE Walters Arts The Paint People Water proofing ARICAN POTS Mr Walter Mr Bina Hiralal Mrs ElizabethMr Amon Cel: 072 342 6525 Tel: 011 342 1056 Fax: 011 945 4591 Cell 1:072 490 9983Cell 1: 078 587 2545 Cell 1: 082 937 5786Cell 2: 078 208 4241 Email: [email protected] NQ jewellery manufacture Redefine Properties TWJ Branal Bodies ccMr Nqobile Nkosi Steel Mrs Rendani Phaswana ARTS & CRAFTCell 1: 078 700 6225 Mr Tommy Artman Tell: 011 982 7048 Cell 1: 083 534 9374 Mrs ThandiFax: 086 260 6733 Tell: 011 938 4448 Cell 1: 083 625 7333Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Cell 1: 072 576 9432 Email: [email protected] Fax: 086 619 3676 Email: etwjfamilyevents.co.zaMayanga Capenters cc Forever living Denver Panelbeaters & Spray torga optical Products We do Spray Repairs and Mrs Gugu HlongwaFurniture fittings, transport for hire, we cut & edge, Panelbeatinndo wrap-doors at lower price of all sizes. White Mr Douglas Ndlovu Tel: 011 938 1212 Fax: 086 514 5219Melamine Board, Super Wood, Cheap Board and All Mr Willington Cell 1: 082 967 8187Colour Boards Regional Sales Email: [email protected] Mayanga Cell 1: 061 - 075 - 6214Fax: 011 936 1527 Cell 1: 073 777 3700Cell 1: 084 924 3106 / 079 356 9797Email: [email protected] funeral Service Blessed Boys EBBS EZWENI TRADING & CLEANING SERVICESTel: 011 075 3462 Convert Relax to Dreads SEVICES IS OUR BUSINESS Mr EzweniCell 1: 078 302 9287 Mr Danny Mr BRIAN Tel: 011 021 4440 Fax: 086 546 2425 Cell 1: 083 374 8155 Cell: 078 438 7730 Tel: 011 024 5789 Fax: 086 627 4691 Email: [email protected] Cell 1: 083 700 7146 Email: [email protected] us meet your budget. Advertise in our Classifieds 3 June - 15 June 2015 Vila Kasi News Issue 5| Page 5 of 8

VILA KASI NEWS ‘NO StOrY to BIG or small’Mmusi Maimane: Black leader, white saviour?Has Mmusi Maimane really altered South Africa’s history by becoming elected leader of the official opposition party, asks Haji Mohamed Dawjee. It’s sad that 21 years into our democracy, the victory of a black South African to serve as leader is still celebrated. Should we swallow this “giant” step for South African history wholeheartedly and without question? It seems as if many supporters are doing just that. I don’t know … perhaps it’s because the fuzzy haze created by the rainbow cloth that’s been stitched on to our eyes still has to wear off. Some are so drugged by it, enjoying the high that’s perpetuated by one acceptable black leader after the other that they’ve forgotten to think critically about what they’re consuming. This is history? An opposition party (who racially represents a minority), finally has a black leader? What a milestone. I guess we will take what we can get – small mercies and all that. Or not.clever on their part. It begs saying that had any other black candidate been voted in as their new leader (not that they had much to go on),this unprecedented historical moment may have been discoloured … so to speak.Maimane is literally the DA’s token – a tangible representation of a fact.That fact? The DA needed a representative that reflected themajority demographic of South Africa, so that they could get that demographic to vote for them. But does he really represent them, or doeshe just represent a black face in a sea of white that’s eager to say things like, “See, we know him”, or “We’re not racists, we love Mmusi”, oranything that any white liberal might say to assert their place in the current political environment.(Obviously, they would close their statement by vindicating their understanding of any social justice issues, for example, by pointing to, ormentioning a Nelson Mandela painting, or quote or screensaver.) If it’s the latter of those two, what change are we talking about exactly?And while we’re on the subject of Mandela, let’s not forget that there is, of course, such a thing as the right kind of black leader. And bythat, I mean the kind that some white South Africans would be more willing to accept. Most of these, history has taught us, were perhapsonce not so acceptable before. They were rebels, anarchists, communists, your general variety of societal pot-stirrers, or just … too black.But with time, and pop culture of course, they have become very appealing to some of the white demographic. (Where were you when thedeal was going down?)Maimane has dabbled in the discourse of Martin Luther King, Mandela (the ultimate messiah to the white South African citizen becausemost of the time, that’s their only knowledge about black South African history) and, of course, Barack Obama – iconic black leaders whohave been gifted popularity with the test of time.In many instances, their images so clearly juxtaposed against his, that it feels like if he sellshimself on their ideals, he won’t ever have to scare anyone away with his own. Many supporters have just eaten this up. Consumed it,without thinking critically about what they’re being asked to consume. “The Obama of South Africa” and all that.Perhaps that responsibility of thinking critically does not lie with the consumer. Perhaps it lies with Maimane himself. And instead offeeding the public, his public and a public he certainly hopes to appeal to, some recycled version of a heroic black man’s words – somethinghe still needs to prove himself to be, he should feed us his own.If nothing else, Maimane is where he is because he needs to change people’s minds. And to do that, he needs to rip off the label that says“white owned”.Without that, the only people he will continue to appeal to, are the ones who probably have coffee table books of the world’s greatestspeeches .“The revolution will not be televised,” wrote Gil Scott-Heron, known to many as the father of hip-hop. The lyrics of the song,released in 1970, are built on a strong foundation of taking a stand against American consumerism.Using intelligence and humour, it aims to inspire the listener to think critically about what they’re being asked to consume and what isbeing offered to consume.Scott-Heron explained that revolutions are not for public consumption because they don’t broadcast what needsbroadcasting. So they take place in our minds. He said that revolutionary people understand that something is wrong and they can make itbetter, and so, they do. They effect change in the South African context, and with reference to Maimane’s victory revolutionising the DA’srepresentation in terms of leadership, the revolution will also not be televised. But if Maimane does not effect change by refusing to bethe token in a racially segregated system, then he will find himself in photos, on paintings and in posters that are hung on walls, in all thewrong houses. (And as for all the chirpy conversation that’s going around comparing Maimane and Mandela. Just. Don’t.)- by Haji Mohamed Dawjee 3 June - 15 June 2015 Vila Kasi News Issue 5| Page 6 of 8

VILA KASI NEWS ‘NO StOrY to BIG or small’Experience the ExtraordinaryWere all too familiar with the timeless story of Nelson Mandela, his face is on our money, and there arestatues and numerous memorabilia both nationwide and worldwide in his honor. There are also count-less foundations, schools, songs and books as well as movies and documentaries all with his name. Withso many awesome and noteworthy achievements and accolades under his belt this is no mere mortal, hemust be a superhero or a mythical creation, the stuff of legend like a unicorn or centaur. That is not thecase, he is a person like me or you, an average Joe, no different from the bus driver or the car guard at themall. Truly a remarkable man, a legend in his own right and an iconic figure in our history, and the wholeworld knows who he is. Such an extraordinary man can’t be an ordinary individual… or can he?Let us explore the concept of “extraordinary”. Could it be that it’s more than just ordinary, like ordi-nary with a little bit extra. Or perhaps it’s extra ordinary, so ordinary that it’s got to be a little bit extraordinary? We all have experienced the extraordinary Mandela, I was privileged enough to experiencethe ordinary in the extraordinary life story of our beloved Nelson, and like just about everything aboutour late-great former president, its open to the public and for all to share. I’m talking about the Man-dela House, number 8115 on the corner of Vilakazi and Ngakane streets in Orlando West Soweto! I kidyou not when I say its open to the public, with entrance fees ranging from five bux (R 5.00) for childrenbelow the age of 6yrs to forty bux (R 40.00) for adults of the “African Union” (that means us locals andour brothers and sisters from beyond our borders) and sixty bux (R 60.00) for international visitors, youreally don’t have to pay extra for being ordinary.It was a Thursday morning at around eight thirty in the morning, the dusky streets of Soweto were already abuzz with traffic from the passing neighbors, and the informal traders ontheir way to set up the stalls and add the familiar color and character to the famous Vilakazi street. When I arrived at the site of Mandela’s house I could see through the fence that it wasan ordinary, standard issue, run of the mill, three roomed house like any other in the area. Well the area now has many extraordinary houses but this one has been kept in mint condi-tion, exactly as the day the apartheid régime built it when they dumped the natives there after removing them forcibly form Sophiatown and other suburbs back in the 1940’s. There havebeen one or two renovations to the premises, like paving all around the house to facilitate the continued traffic and the perimeter fence as well is transparent yet secure with a receptionarea that seems to be that extra in and amongst the ordinary.I was greeted at the gate by Vusi Ndebele and Jabu Shabangu, two male employees at the museum and we sat and exchanged pleasantries and bantered on about soccer and one or twoissues before we started talking about the continued traffic to the premises as well as the pleasures of greeting and welcoming both foreign and local visitors on a daily basis. I was soengaged in conversation at the gate the clock struck nine and it was time for me to enter as the gates were officially opened. Inside I met the awesome Busi Nyathi and my life was not tobe the same again, as I walked onto the premises a chill overcame me as I saw the many images on the B2B HUBwalls and the fact that the house was so small that they had to put so many of the images on the outside. GUESTHOUSEOvercome with the sheer magnitude of the matchbox house and its significance in the shaping of thelandscape of our fledgling nation and its first democratically elected leader, I sat on the stoep outside thekitchen door and was confronted with the enormity of the task at the hands of Busi, Vusi, Jabu, NhlanhlaNobela, Nhlanhla Marks, Rhoda Siweya, Emmanuel Gumbi and Oarabile Monakwane.Day by day, one tour after the other, they take the ordinary, everyday visitor through an extraordinaryman’s humble beginnings, re tell his tale of dedication to a cause. His selfless struggle against all odds, andthe multitude of sacrifices he was forced to make in order to achieve what seemed to be the impossible atthe time…and yet he held on to his beliefs. He stuck to his guns, and drew strength from all the adversityhe was faced with, all the challenges that were thrown his way were the source of his inspiration and thedriving force behind his meteoric rise to power. While they relate the story over and over again to eachand every tour group, Busi tells of the leadership lessons that could be learned from one such tale. Leader-ship lessons that she hopes will be imparted to the young Africans that believe that their lives have moredowns than ups. Perseverance and resilience culminated in Nelson Mandela seeing the fruits of his laboronly twenty years before he died. What he spent his whole life fighting for from an early age only became areality when he was an old man. Once one can acknowledge the ordinary person who is the extraordinaryicon, then one can truly begin to take life seriously and accept their struggles as a part of their journey inlife. Mandela’s struggle wasn’t greater than any other persons.Today we hear trending terms like “Nice Life Problems” in his day and age there was no such thing, a Call: 073 599 8302problem for one was a problem for all and the only way that there would be a nice life was if that nice life Address: 20 Daggerheadwas for all. Mandela and all those who shared in his struggle were united in that belief, so much so thatwhen the régime raided his home repeatedly he was forced to sleep in the homes of friends, neighbors’ Ave, Ext.8 Lenasiaand strangers alike. Strangers! Strangers who knew him and his resolve would open their homes to him Email: [email protected] the wolves were at his door, when the vultures were circling overhead waiting for his carcass, hyenas Website: www.b2bhub.co.zabaying for his blood and the ambush was set, he had the unwavering support of friends and foes. The truetest of leadership is not how many people you can rally to follow or support you. But how many will doso openly, willingly and without being asked or forced. That is the ordinary man that the whole world hascome to know as the extraordinary Nelson Mandela.There have been mixed reactions from the community and that further emphasizes the scale of the smallhouse on the corner that has become a heritage site and the significance of the people who take groupafter group of young and old, foreign and local, great and small day after day. This ordinary house is asymbol of the extraordinary that can be achieved by anybody if they can place the greater good above allelse, see beyond their own struggles and realize that united we stand. That is the extra in extraordinaryand one must also remember that without the ordinary there can be no extraordinary. There are vari-ous programs that they run with all the tours and the ones that involve the kids are special, because theyallow the children to just be spectators or passengers. They encourage them to ask questions and make itmore interactive so that the children and the experience become the center and the focus of the tour. In aperfect world the Nelson Mandela House Museum would love to work with the community in the sameway that the community worked together with the oppressed family that lived there many years ago. -byKagiso Leepile Let us meet your budget. Advertise with us! Tel: (011) 040 – 1828 Fax: 086 600 8302 Email: [email protected]: www.vilakasinews.co.za 3 June -15 June 2015 Vila Kasi News Issue 5| Page 7 of 8

VILA KASI NEWS ‘NO StOrY to BIG or small’ Fifa, Blatter and SAcrookery: No surprisesSo Sepp Blatter gets the Fifa presidency again at the tender age of 79. He hasbeen president since 1998, far too long to be in power over one of the mostpowerful, economy-boosting, juggernauts the world has ever known.If a country gets the green light to host the World Cup, the payoffs for thatnation are almost incalculable. But only one country at a time can get thismassive boost. Any fool can see the probability of big-money corruption inFifa is extremely likely. Take, for example, a common banking practice. Peri-odically bank managers are transferred from branch to branch so they can-not get to know their customers too well and thus be tempted with bribes.But in Fifa this sound practice is ignored.Why are we not surprised?Blatter continues to be president among the most staggering scandals,involving what now looks like at least 100 million US dollars, and refuses tobe accountable for what his staff have done. This despite calls from a varietyof leaders for his resignation. Blatter cannot possibly be entirely ignorantof what his senior officeholders, like Jack Warner, have been quietly shov-ing into their personal pockets. He is in denial. He deliberately fails to applythe leadership value of taking personal responsibility for one’s people andaccepting the fact that under his watch his closest right hand men commit-ted serious crime and that therefore he is not fit for office. Instead, he allowshimself to be re-elected.Why are we not surprised?Now on his fifth re-election, he has said, “I am the president now, the president of everybody”. This will probably go down as his most memorable, chilling quote. SeppBlatter reminds one of long-term dictators of countries where they get re-elected or simply stay in power and elevate themselves to a position where they are beyondresponsibility for their actions. One definition of dictatorship is long, tyrannical rule. While Blatter’s rein is not an obvious, or militant tyranny, too much global influ-ence has been put into one person’s hands for far too long, in the “interests” as Blatter will often say, of “world sport” and “fair play”. Fifa, because of its sheer economicclout and its chimera-like nature, is arguably more influential than any country. The worry that Blatter, like a dictator, does not have to take personal responsibilityreminds one of South Africa. President Jacob Zuma is now above being accountable to the taxpayer for the staggering costs of building Nkandla. To just start a longlist, the likes of Schabir Shaik still walk free.Why are we not surprised?Then the sick joke behind Nelson Mandela’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago to woo the Fifa World Cup for South Africa in 2010. One of Mandela’s final great services tohis country — or so we would have liked to think. Behind the scenes, unknown — no doubt — to the great man Madiba, were corrupt dealings with SA politicianswhich run into millions of rands in bribery. In my opinion, the current SA government and their cronies and stakeholders in the private sector get special tutorialsfrom the likes of President Robert Mugabe on how to do serious crime properly, then hide behind great “revolutionary freedom fighter” figures like Mandela. The re-sult is that Mandela, as an icon, has to be the most abused symbol of freedom the world has ever known. All the values Mandela and his comrades stood for, freedom,dignity and democracy, has been followed by scandal after unretributed scandal, corruption after cancerous corruption.Yet … why are we not surprised?This is because, to echo Stephen Grootes, our psyche has become too scarred, too numbed. He writes in the Daily Maverick: “It’s not just that officials had to be bribed;it’s that the World Cup was a chance for us to be a special nation again.” I can only add that this is not only South Africa’s psyche, but the world’s. Nothing reallysurprises us anymore when it comes to corruption while humble little guys like me and you try and earn an honest wage. People don’t care enough, anymore, to besurprised. Big money corrupts. And absolute money corrupts absolutely. - Rod Mackenzie Telephone: (011) 936 - 5212 / 0076 | Cell: 073 814 4786 | Fax: (086) 406 1393 | Website: www.simonsglass.co.za | Email: [email protected]| Unit 29 Orlando Industrial Park | Orlando West Soweto, Gauteng 3 June - 15 June 2015 Vila Kasi News Issue 5| Page 8 of 8