COSATU Media Monitor, 17 December 2009

Pick n Pay's chairman Raymond Ackerman is "outraged" at what he called the "appalling accusation" by the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (Saccawu) of racism in the company.

In a statement on Thursday, Ackerman said Pick n Pay's history over 43 years spoke for itself.

"Both the company and I suffered significant abuse at the hands of former politicians for our stand on human rights for black South Africans.

"We were harassed for our decision to violate the Job Reservation Act and promote black South Africans to positions they had earned in Pick n Pay," he said.

Last week Saccawu members at Pick n Pay embarked on a one day strike, accusing the company's CEO Nick Badminton of racism.

"They have provided no evidence to their blanket accusations.

"They have made vague references to a comment that was allegedly made by our CEO, according to them over a decade ago," Ackerman said.

He added that Saccawu had not explained why it had taken ten years to raise the complaint.

"Our CEO, Nick Badminton, has stated clearly and without any hesitation whatsoever that he said no such thing.

"In short, it's utter nonsense."

As to Saccawu's other allegations, when the union raised a list of unspecific issues with Pick n Pay, it offered to create a Commission of Enquiry -- "not once but four separate times", Ackerman said.

"They rejected this offer each time. "We have done our part and offered to try and resolve whatever problems they said they were having.

"In rejecting our offer, they clearly have no real interest in resolving this and this is borne out by comments made by the union."

He said during last week's strike Saccawu had handed a memorandum to the company's human resources director, Isaac Motaung, "who ironically started his career at Pick n Pay as a trolley porter".

Ackerman acknowledged that Pick n Pay was not "perfect".

"We have over 39,000 employees. There are going to be times when someone, somewhere, behaves less than perfectly.

"We accept this and of course rectify whatever requires attention immediately it is brought to our attention and the proper procedures are followed in accordance with the law."

He said that over the years Pick n Pay had worked hard to earn not only the respect of its customers but also the respect of its employees.

"We are not simply going to accept what the union has done." he added.

Ackerman said he was entering his last three months as chairman of Pick n Pay.

"We have in the past and will continue to work diligently against any form of racism.

"But we will not tolerate this abuse and deliberate action on their [Saccawu's] part to damage our reputation and weaken our resolve."

Saccawu could not be immediately reached for comment. – Sapa

2. South Africa

2.1 ANC mourns MantoTshabalala-Msimang's death

Politicsweb, 17 December 2009

The African National Congress (ANC) is deeply saddened by the passing on of Cde Manto Tshabalala Msimang - an ANC struggle veteran. She died today, the 16th December 2009, at the age of 69, at the charlotte Maxeke Hospitals' Gordon Institute in Johannesburg. Her death came as a result of a complication of a liver transplant.

Cde Manto dedicated her life to the struggle for justice and democracy in South Africa and she left the country to fight outside the borders of our country for the liberation of her people. It was during her exile years that she qualified as a doctor - a qualification she used effectively in the MK Camps as a dedicated cadre and a doctor in our struggle.
After her return to the country, she was one of those who were founding members of a democratic parliament of South African in 1994 - a parliament that she has served with distinction from 1994 to date.

Cde Manto was appointed in government at first as the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and later as Minister of Health, and finally in 2008 until the elections, she served as Minister in the Presidency.

At the time of her death she was serving as the NEC member of the ANC- a leadership role that she has been active in for many years. She has given many young ANC cadres guidance over the years and her death has robbed the ANC of a truly committed cadre and stalwart to the transformation agenda of the ANC.

The ANC lowers its banner in recognition of the stewardship and leadership that Cde Manto has given to the ANC for many decades, since her teens.

Cde Manto also served as the member of ANC Women's League National Executive Committee, Chairperson of the Social Sector Cluster of South African Cabinet Committee, and the African Union (AU) goodwill Ambassador and Champion for Africa's Movement to improve Maternal Health and Promote Child Survival and Development in Africa, beyond 2015.

In July 2008, Cde Manto received the Walter Sisulu for Leadership Excellence from the South African Students Congress, on behalf of the health professionals of South Africa. She is the second person to receive this award named after a humble architect of our democracy, Cde Walter Sisulu.

In 2005, the Medical Education for South African Blacks honoured Cde Manto for her contribution to health care delivery in South Africa.

She was also honoured by the National AIDS Trust Fund in 2005, for the work she has done in the prevention, care and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

She received an award from World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2004,for her commitment and delivery on Inter-country and Cross-Border collaboration on Malaria.

In 2000 she was bestowed the Luther L.Terry Award from the American Cancer Society, for her effective work in Tobacco Control. South Africa's legislation in tobacco control is quoted as the most progressive ever to the extent that countries like Sweden have asked to model their policies and legislation on it.

In her own right, she fought with distinction the apartheid regime for all of us to achieve the freedoms we now enjoy. We will also remember her as a stalwart of our movement and a fearless fighter.

We pay homage to this gallant fighter and will forever treasure the contribution she made in the struggle for liberation and the building of our democracy. The

ANC extends its heartfelt condolences to her husband, Cde Mendi Msimanga, her family, friends and colleagues as we mourn this servant of the people.

Cde Manto is survived by her husband, Mendi Msimang, Children and grandchildren.

May her soul rest in peace knowing that many will pick up her spear and continue with the struggle until all our people have a better life.

2.2 Unemployment rises by 79 000

By Ethel Hazelhurst, Business Report, 17 December 2009

Job losses continued to mount in the third quarter, according to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) report released on Tuesday by Statistics SA.

The agency reported 79 000 fewer people had a job, following the loss of 179 000 and 67 000 jobs in the first and second quarters, respectively. This brings the total losses for the first three quarters to 325 000.

However the figure is lower than the 464 000 decline in formal sector jobs reflected by Stats SA's Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), released in October.

The discrepancy is partly explained by the fact that QES figures are gathered in a survey of 22 000 businesses, while the QLFS data are derived from a survey of about 30 000 households. This means QLFS includes formal sector workers who are self-employed, while the QES figures cover employed workers only. The self-employed could be more exposed to economic downturns.

There are timing differences, too. Hlabi Morudu, a Stats SA executive manager, said households were visited throughout the quarter while the QES captured the number of jobs on business payrolls at the end of the quarter. But this would not affect the overall trend.

Azar Jammine, the chief economist at Econometrix, said if QES and QLFS were compared on a year-on-year basis, the two sets of data are more in line: QES shows 328 000 jobs lost while QLFS shows 366 000.

Stats SA deputy director of economic statistics Rashad Cassim says the QLFS is the authoritative source of information for the broader employment picture as it includes data on the total labour force, but the QES provides a good picture of demand for labour in the formal sector. - Ethel Hazelhurst

2.3 ANC chairman slams ‘ill discipline’

Patrick Cull, Weekend Post, 17 December 2009

EASTERN Cape ANC chairman Phumulo Masualle read the riot act to delegates attending a special provincial general council (PGC) meeting last night, saying “political ill-discipline is a major problem”.

Delivering his political report at a meeting called to finish discussions that were not completed at the party’s provincial conference, Masualle pointed to the negative effects on local government of the problems within the ANC.

He said the loss of Cape Town in 2006 and then the Western Cape to the DA in the April general election this year had been “bitter”.

That would appear to be a blunt warning, particularly with regard to Nelson Mandela Bay where the ANC failed to obtain a plurality of votes.

“This is the home of the ANC,” said Masualle. “We must put out heads together.”

He said one of the reasons for the ANC’s poorer showing in the election had been the “serious challenges” that followed the party’s 2007 Polokwane conference. These included the forming the Congress of the People (Cope) and the subsequent “mistrust and suspicion that were the order of the day”.

“Political ill-discipline” resulted from individuals placing themselves above the collective and the people, adding that “greed and corruption” lay at the heart of this.

Referring to the public spats within the Alliance, the latest between ANC Youth League president Julius Malema and SACP deputy secretary-general Jeremy Cronin, the SACP national treasurer said: “All loyal and disciplined members should refrain from public spats and respect the authority of the ANC. We must desist from those things that damage the organisation”.

Looking at challenges facing the council, which meets till tomorrow, Masualle said these included finding ways to strengthen service delivery and resolving “capacity constraints”.

2.4 Sasco disappointed at ANCYL, YL, SACP insults

IOL, 16 December 2009

The SA Students Congress (Sasco) said on Wednesday it was disappointed at the recent firing of insults between the African National Congress, Young Communist League and SA Communist Party.

"We remain shocked and ashamed that leaders within our structures would stoop to this level and fail to resolve their differences in views and opinions in an orderly and organisational manner," Sasco said in a statement. The student's organisation said it supported the call for the nationalisation of mines. It lashed out at the SACP for what it described as a lack of support for this call.

"We are shocked and dismayed by the lukewarm support for nationalisation shown by the SACP. We raise this because we would have expected the party of socialism-cum-communism to be over-enthusiastic to find that ultimately, its views have found resonance even in the ranks of the ANC Youth League."

Sasco said the SACP leadership had become dismissive and overly cautious about matters.

'Leadership cannot be elected on the basis of one issue'

"We equally reject the populist attempts by the ANCYL to opportunistically and factionally use support or lack of support for nationalisation as a yardstick to elect leadership.

"Leadership cannot be elected on the basis of one issue. We therefore reject the Julius [Malema] formula of electing leadership in the ANC."

Sasco said the booing of ANCYL president Julius Malema at the SACP conference last week must be condemned.

"Whether delegates agree with his conduct or not, they should not threaten him, or anyone for that matter in the manner they did. It is the responsibility of all members to utilise organisational platforms to raise their disgruntlement and not howl."

Malema was booed at the conference after he had called the SACP's Jeremy Cronin a "white messiah" when he did not support the youth league's call for nationalisation of mines. - Sapa

2.5 What are your political whinges for 2009

IOL, 16 December 2009

Tim Richman, author of Complete Kak!, gives us the second in a three-part Year In Review.

Following General Whinges, here's Political Whinges (with Sports Whinges to come)

Schabir Shaik being granted medical parole because he is going to die "some day"

Dear Schabir, the nation owes you a heartfelt apology for the undue stress and discomfort you've had to endure while sleeping on a hospital bed and eating takeout before your comrades managed to organise you a medical parole. Luckily you had a spot of high blood pressure rather than Aids-induced pneumonia! Enjoy the Struggle-like kudos you'll no doubt have thrown your way until your dying day. And do let us know when that is. We wouldn't want to miss it.
Obamania

Urgent memo to hippy liberal left-wing Obama acolytes everywhere: Barack Obama is not the solution to all the world's problems. He is not a superhero. He doesn't have Herculean strength and he can't turn invisible and he can't fire lightning bolts out of his bottom. Yes, he speaks better than Dubya, but so does Stephen Hawking. So stop treating him like the messiah and let him just go about his business trying to clean up after the retard. (Dubya, not Hawking.)

COPE

Many people think the advent of COPE as a "viable alternative" to the ANC was a great step forward in the democratic growth of South Africa. Many other people think COPE is just a disjointed gang of ex-Mbeki acolytes ticked off because the gravy train is choo-choo-chooing its way into the distance without them... As 2009 progressed, option Two did seem more and more plausible, didn't it? And now, after all that early promise, the rats have spent most of the year scuttling off the sinking ship back to the ANC swill trough they know and love. Oh Allan Boesak, your moral compass is as strong as ever!

The election

Does an election ever pass without a prolonged bout of weary aggravation setting in? Annoying media bombardment, ludicrous promises that you know will never be fulfilled, cynical handouts to the poor, allegations of lying, lying and general electioneering are usually enough to send you the mental home. This year... well, no different. Just a bit of Madiba abuse to add to the mix.

Eskom madness

If Eskom had its way, the 31 percent increase in electrical prices we suffered this year, would be followed by annual 45 percent increases over the next three years. So if you were paying R500 a month in January this year, you would be paying R2,000 by 2012...

Somewhere out there, at the back of an unemployment queue somewhere, ex-CEO Jacob Maroga is wondering why South Africans everywhere didn't take kindly to this news and why the politically poisonous machinations that he was relying on to save his job didn't come through for him in the end. We may be having energy problems, but at least there's a bit of karma out there.

The ministerial WaBenzi frenzy

Once our new pro-poor government had time to settle into their new post-election positions, the car-buying mayhem was so rampant it's difficult to know where to begin. Was it Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda blowing nearly R2.5 million on two BMW 750s? How about the fact that even Trevor Manuel, the one-time "sensible" government official, got in on the act, also with a brand-new 750? Or the hundreds of thousands of rands spent on "extras" such as DVD entertainment systems, sunroofs and chrome paint jobs.

Where to end, though, is easier: it can only be with Blade "I'm still a communist!" Nzimande splashing out R1,1 million for his ride. Does the General Secretary of the SACP breathe hypocrisy? Or is it irony? Hypocritical irony?

The never-ending use of the race card to defend deplorable actions

The tactless spending of millions of taxpayers' rands on luxury transport for our new leaders would not have been complete without some par-for-course race-card touting to defend their actions.
Here's police ministry spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi in reaction to parliamentary questions about the gratuitous R200,000 his boss Nathi Mthethwa spent blinging up his new ride: "The minister [Mthethwa] is in a delicate portfolio, and is a VIP and should be treated as such. When he is executing his duties we want him to be comfortable. To me this boils down to racial slurs."

Racial slurs... Should we have expected any other excuse? Of course not. Which is why when a politician calls someone or something racist these days no-one takes much notice. Cue Brandon Huntley... When the shameless Mowbray chancer managed to convince a Canadian immigration board to grant him refugee status in August this year because "he was likely to be killed by blacks the moment he set foot back in SA", or words to that effect, and the ANC cried racist, no-one took them seriously. Even though it was in fact grossly racist - unless carnival worker Brandon got "apartheid worked for me" tattooed on his forehead and wandered the streets of Diepsloot at night, the ruling was beyond ridiculous - no-one was too bothered by their valid point because, according to our political leaders, going to work rather than welcoming athletes at the airport is also racist.

The ANCYL v the SACP

Yes, there's a good argument to include Julius Malema in every entry on this list - it's probably not that hard to work him into the Obama entry, come to think of it - but we needed to put some restrictions in place otherwise Pie-Face would likely dominate proceedings, as he tends to do. So we're mentioning his name just this once: with reference to the SACP's ongoing fisticuffs with the ANC Youth League. Can there have been a more difficult horse to back? The communists or the morons?

Floyd Shivambu's ability to communicate

The ANCYL deserves another mention, though, for the most embarrassing political interview of the year - by their spokesman, no less. Floyd Shivambu may communicate with the grace and intelligence of a falling anvil under normal circumstances, but anyone who listened to Redi Direko interviewing him on Radio 702 in May will know that he outdid himself while trying to explain what he meant by saying Helen Zille slept around.

"Sleeping around is sleeping around! We say what we mean and we mean what we say!"
Baking?

2.6 SAfrica's ANC battles to rein in young firebrand

By CELEAN JACOBSON, AP, 16 December 2009

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa's ruling party is trying to rein in a young firebrand who is sowing discord among its old Communist allies, threatening President Jacob Zuma's efforts to build unity as the country grapples with economic recession.

Fearing the spat may get worse, the African National Congress on Tuesday rebuked Julius Malema, president of the ANC's Youth League, for his attacks against the South African Communist Party. ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said anyone who defies ANC orders not to fuel tensions must explain themselves in a disciplinary hearing.

Malema's actions have created a stir because the ANC Youth League, once led by Nelson Mandela long before he became president, is a powerful lobbying group within the ruling party and sees itself as king makers. The hostility has enthralled South Africans, earning banner headlines and prompting endless commentary and speculation on talk radio.

The infighting has put a strain on an alliance between the ANC, the SACP and the country's largest trade union federation that goes back decades, when the three banded together to fight apartheid. Since white rule ended with the country's first all-race elections in 1994, that unity has at times seemed forced. Under then President Thabo Mbeki, who succeeded Mandela, the alliance was battered by disagreements over the government's market-friendly economic policies.

Some observers say the latest tensions are a result of a succession battle that has already started over who will replace Zuma, who was inaugurated only last May. Malema is opposed to the growing influence of communists in the ANC and wants to keep its leaders from rising to power.

Matters came to a head last week when the 28-year-old Malema and some other ANC officials were booed at an SACP conference. After Malema retaliated by sending a threatening text message to SACP Deputy Secretary General Jeremy Cronin, who is also a member of the ANC's executive committee, the committee called for unity, asking that "members refrain from fueling tensions."

But Malema went on to tell the National Press Club on Tuesday that the heckling was an "invitation to war."

The hostility between Malema and the SACP broke into the open months ago after Malema began advocating that South Africa's mines be nationalized — a policy even Cronin opposes for being unwieldy and expensive.

When Cronin, who also serves as the government's deputy transport minister, called Malema's ideas misguided, Malema retorted that he needed no advice from "a white messiah."

The infighting comes during a period when fewer tensions within the alliance had been expected.

Malema and some other figures from the ANC and the Communist party came together to oust Mbeki and bring in Zuma, but once again relations are fraying.

"The uneasy alliance between these two groupings that united to remove Thabo Mbeki from office and replace him with Jacob Zuma appears to have run its course," noted Ray Hartley, editor of the Johannesburg newspaper The Times. "But as in a failing marriage, things have got a little complicated."

In an effort to build more fraternal relations after he became president, Zuma quickly made SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande his Minister of Higher Education. There has been some speculation that Nzimande might be considered for the post of deputy president.

But with South Africa struggling to emerge from a recession, the new president has had to take a more pragmatic neutral approach on economic policies and go slow on reforms such as greater social spending and looser fiscal policy pushed for by the SACP and the unionists.

Analysts say these tensions will persist, even if the ANC is able to get Malema to moderate his tone.

2.7 Manamela rubbishes Malema’s claims

IOL, 16 December 2009

The SA Communist Party is not trying to take over the African National Congress, said Young Communist League leader Buti Manamela on Wednesday.

"There is no intention to try and take over the ANC. It has never been a mandate or a discussion that Blade Nzimande [SACP chairman] should be deputy president of the country," Manamela told Talk Radio 702.

He said these were allegations intended at fuelling war against the alliance partners.

Manamela said the alliance partners would always seek to influence each other from time to time but the "ANC always decides with the understanding that it leads".

'It doesn't matter how much we disagree, nobody deserves to be booed'

He said the booing of ANC members including ANC Youth League president Julius Malema at the SACP conference last week was wrong and should not have happened.

"It doesn't matter how much we disagree, nobody deserves to be booed. That was the lowest form of action in politics, we prefer to engage people on ideas. The incident was unfortunate."
Manamela admitted that he may also have played a role in fuelling the "war talk" between ANC and the SACP and it was time to take responsibility because it was not benefiting anybody.

"And I myself am not innocent ... It's time to act responsible (sic) for all of us - admit that we played a role - because the war talk is not benefiting nobody but our detractors."

After Malema was booed at conference, he described that SACP as "greedy yellow communists" who were trying to control the ruling party. - Sapa

2.8 Motlanthe: Nobody defies the ANC

By Alison Raymond, IOL, 16 December 2009

South Africa's ruling African National Congress threatened on Tuesday to discipline members who continue to stir conflict with its trade union and Communist Party allies, including firebrand youth leader Julius Malema.

Malema, head of the party's Youth League, clashed with South African Communist Party (SACP) members at a party congress over the weekend, sparking concern within the ANC that the alliance is fracturing.

Despite an ANC demand for the war of words to end, Malema renewed the attack on Tuesday. He said the Youth League was ready for "war" with the SACP and accused its members of being "greedy yellow communists" trying to take over the ANC, the party of Nelson Mandela that spearheaded the struggle against white majority rule.

'Nobody defies the ANC and gets away with it'

Kgalema Motlanthe, deputy president of both the ANC and the country, said anyone defying a call for unity from the party's national executive committee - its highest decision-making body - would face sanctions and possibly suspension.

"If anybody disregards this call, there will be consequences, very serious consequences," he said when asked about Malema's remarks. "Nobody defies the ANC and gets away with it."

The NEC, which includes Malema, resolved on Monday that the argument with the SACP should end. President Jacob Zuma also called for unity in the ruling alliance of the ANC, the communists and the union movement.

Malema has been one of the most vocal campaigners for a more leftist economic policy, demanding in particular the nationalisation of mines. Being disciplined could hurt the image of a man who appears to be lining himself up for high office. – Reuters

2.9 Malema, Cronin could face ANC action

Mandy Wiener & Liezl Thom, Eye Witness News , 16 December 2009

The African National Congress on Tuesday said it would keep trying to mould and nurture its troublesome youth league leader Julius Malema. But it has also suggested Malema will probably face disciplinary action over his public dispute with the senior South African Communist Party leaders, including Gwede Mantashe and Jeremy Cronin..

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe reported back on the ruling party’s National Executive Committee’s special meeting.

The NEC has condemned the booing of Malema at the communist party congress last week.

Just an hour after Malema’s impassioned tirade in Pretoria, a poised Motlanthe stepped in to cool hot heads.

He said the ANC was calling for an end to acrimonious public spats.

"If anybody disregards this call there will be consequences, very serious consequences."

Motlanthe said it was likely Malema and Cronin could face disciplinary action over their public war of words (which stems from their differences over whether government should nationalise mines.) But the ANC will not give up on Malema just yet.

"It is the ANC’s responsibility to mould him, correct him, make him a better citizen because the ANC only abandons those who are incorrigible."

Motlanthe said Malema would have to explain the inflammatory comments made by the youth league on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Malema said the ANC’s youth wing would not allow the SACP to dictate to or take over the Tripartite Alliance.

Malema was meant to address the National Press Club on the youth league’s policies and its accomplishments for the year.

Instead, he used the platform to continue his row with the SACP.

2.10 Battle lines drawn between ANC and SACP

Mandy Wiener and Liezl Thom, Eye Witness News, 16 December 2009

The African National Congress’s National Executive Committee said on Tuesday it was wrong for South African Communist Party delegates to boo ruling party members at its congress in Polokwane last week.

It will meet with the SACP next year to discuss the issue.

ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema was among those who were heckled and booed at the communist party congress.

Meanwhile, President Jacob Zuma will receive a report detailing the events of the incident.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said the NEC called on all structures and alliance partners to stop becoming involved in acrimonious public spats.

“The national executive committee took the view that it was wrong for the South Africa Communist Party delegates to that conference to boo the ANC delegation. The NEC therefore calls on all members to refrain from fuelling tensions,” said Motlanthe.

At the same time, the ANC Youth League said it was still adamant the country’s mines needed to be nationalised.

An earlier statement to this effect led to a public spat between Malema and SACP Deputy General Secretary Jeremy Cronin.

Speaking at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Malema said a discussion document around the nationalisation of mines would be released early next year.

Malema said the treatment he received at the SACP’s conference was a planned tactic to throw down the gauntlet to the youth league.

He said the youth wing would accept a declaration of war from the SACP if it was offered.

2.11 Cronin offers olive branch to ANC

IOL, 17 December 2009

The South African Communist Party seemed keen yesterday to end the past week's "war talk" with the ANC over an episode at the party's Polokwane conference in which ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema was booed.

In the heated exchanges that followed, Malema called the SACP "greedy, yellow communists" and their treatment of him an "invitation to war", which prompted the ANC to consider disciplinary action against him.

Yesterday, SACP deputy general secretary Jeremy Cronin said the party was "ready and keen" to meet the ANC.

The SACP had asked for a meeting, and the ANC had agreed. It was likely to take place early next year, said Cronin.

In the meantime, he said, he and the party were committed to President Jacob Zuma's call to "cool things".

In an interview on Cape Talk yesterday, Young Communist League leader Buti Manamela said the SACP had no intention of taking over the ANC.

"It has never been a mandate or a discussion that (SACP chairman) Blade Nzimande should be deputy president of the country," Manamela said.

He said this and other allegations were aimed at fuelling war against the alliance partners. They would always seek to influence each other from time to time, but the "ANC always decides, with the understanding that it leads".

Manamela admitted he might have played a role in fuelling the "war talk" between the ANC and SACP, and it was time to take responsibility because it was not benefiting anybody.

"And I myself am not innocent... it's time for all of us to act responsibly," he said, adding that he condemned the booing of ANC leaders.

At the same time, the SA Students' Congress (Sasco) said it was disappointed at the recent exchange of insults. - Mercury Correspondent-Sapa