Media Flaws

“There can be no better message to all of us as we celebrate Human Rights Day (on 21 March) than these very wise words from a young African professional in his early twenties. The historic task to build a non-racial democracy, to achieve social and national cohesion, to advance the goal of national reconciliation, to secure the human rights of all our people, black and white, demands that all of us must answer the question honestly - did all of us, including the corporations, really listen when young Bonga Bangani dared to speak out to communicate to all of us the dreams of our youth for a new South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it, united in their diversity!” – President Thabo Mbeki.

I watched e-news in disbelief this Saturday. That station or whatever it is needs to be closed down before it defames South Africa entirely. It’s as if they live and breath – ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ - they are sorely, if not morbidly hell-bent on reporting gore and shame. I watched a completely de-contextualised report of Thabo Mbeki’s weekly newsletter – specifically citing phrases in which he used the K*** word. Now any objective mind would have easily pointed out that this was extreme sensationalism at work and mud-dragging.

This same newsletter does however conjure up memories of The Last King of Scotland and our not-so-friendly uncle Bob. From what I can gather, our president is fast-losing his cool and patience (thank goodness he doesn’t spend too much time in Cape Town, he would have lost it ages ago – he’d make Mugabe’s dry-wrinkled face sparkle with contention). Soon we'll have our very own Mugabeki. Anyway, without delving too much into politics, I’ll leave you with the letter that sparked the president’s above-mentioned quote. By Bonga Bangani - a UCT BBusSc (Financial Hons) graduate:

ToRichardWainright.pdf ... click & save before opening...

I won't declare my anti-Zille status here :-), but I must say, having met and spoken to her on numerous occassions - she will make the cut as DA leader and Mayor of CPT. She might have to resign of the mayoral part and focus more on leading her chihuahua club (DA). The reality of it all is that she is not politics material - she won't last a minute in the presence of our veteran tricky politicians in parliament... she's headed for a fall - if not a major nervous breakdown and harsh reality check (as South Africa is not what she dreamfully thinks it is and she can't solve anything with her textbook and liberal ideas...

Posted by Anti-Zille — 10 Sep 2007, 19:44
I TOO AM A YOUNG PRO,AND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE BLACK PROFESSIONALS FACE NEED TO BE AGRESSIVELY ADRESSED
IF I CAN GET A COPY OF BONGAS LETTER THAT WOULD BE GREAT!

Posted by Tshepo Seloane — 10 Sep 2007, 19:44
Hi Tshepo, You can get the letter by clicking on the ToRichardWainright.pdf link on the page - remember to save it first and you'll have it too.

Glad to here your're on the same side!

Posted by Unathi — 10 Sep 2007, 19:44
i honetly think not,with cape town mayorship hanging over her shoulders.anyone who begs to differ? or am i just anti zille

Posted by Tshepo Seloane — 10 Sep 2007, 19:44
This is so sad but so true. I myself suffered for 3 years serving articles with one of the big four accounting firms in Port Elizabeth. I too, like Bonga when i started my career i was full of enthusiasm and a hunger to learn. I wanted one day to add to the riduculously low number of black audit firm partners in the country. It is true that as soon as our young professionals complete their 3 year contract they jump ship for greener pastures vowing never to see another audit firm from an employment point of view. In my case, i even took longer than the 3 years to complete my articles as i was often overlooked when managers picked team members for new audits, regardless of the fact that i excelled on my very first audit. Not to dwell on the past. I've learnt a lot from my experience with the firm through my perseverence and determination. I too left without employment. Today I own my own earthmoving equipment hire company which is doing quite well i might add. Regards, Bulelani
Posted by Bulelani — 04 Nov 2007, 09:50
The topic of capital punnishment is one that has been debated years now. How many of u agree with the president of the ACDP Kenneth Meshoe's view that it should be brought back? Before u answer consider the crime rate in Sa.
Posted by Tshepo Seloane — 08 Mar 2008, 01:19
Bonga Bangani is my cousin & im so proud & honoured 2 be able to call him cuz. I read the letter & although racial discrimination has not played much of a role in my life but im stil very young so my time will come. but with courageous people like my cousin around i doubt it. God bless Africa God bless all of mankind black white indian or coloured PEACE
Posted by Christopher Bangani — 12 Sep 2008, 15:20
These are not the only types of people of Asian descent in South Africa. Use of the word Indian follows from the "old [pre-'94] regime" Call us all: Asian. We Asians want to help build a better SA too. We too have been victim of the types of unfairness in the workplace, as described in Bongani's letter. Let us all stand together to address the problem of racism. Let us celebrate our diversity!
Posted by Fukov — 25 Oct 2008, 15:16

Parrhesia in practise...

Bonga Bangani's Letter

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