Saturday, January 13, 2007

Divergence within the ANC youth league

The ANC celebrated its 95th birthday today (January 13,2007). However, a fight broke loose between the ANCYL’s national office and the Eastern Cape branch. ANCYL secretary-general, Kgalema Motlanthe, was called in to intervene.

The clash occurred due to the provincial branch being disbanded. Officially, this was because of accusations that the branch failed to build enough other branches. However members say it is because the Easter Cape branch showed support for President Thabo Mbeki for a third term as party leader, as opposed to the youth league's national body that supports Jacob Zuma.

Continued support for Zuma, especially by the ANCYL, is definitely bad news for South Africa, since Zuma is convicted of Rape and Corruption charges. Zuma is also outspoken against homosexuality.

During the rape trial, Zuma admitted to having unprotected sex with his accuser but claimed that he took a shower afterwards to cut the risk of contracting HIV. This statement has been condemned by the judge, health experts, AIDS activists as well as ridiculed by the public in general.

The South African View: Zuma is an excellent crowd-pleaser, but the general public, and even the ANC, realises that Zuma is crooked and dangerous.

South Africa's Woman of the Year Award

And the winner is... Ms Veronica Hlabelela(37) of Durban.

Cave tour guides from the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn informed Ms Hlabelela that she was too large to follow one of the Cango Cave routes known as the "Tunnel of Love". Ms Hlabelela became heavily offended, throwing around claims of "racism", demanded to speak with management and insisted she be allowed on the route. She complained until management gave in.

While climbing in, she promptly slipped and became firmly wedged, trapping 22 other people, including a small child, behind her.

Ms Hlabelela weighs in at 100kg.
The "Tunnel of Love" is 50cm-wide.
Ms Hlabelela was stuck for nine hours, and cost South African taxpayers about R50 000.

The South African View: Thank you Ms Veronica, for bringing brilliant irony and a smile to our country.