SA is falling apart and, yes, it is your fault

EFF leader Julius Malema

So this is where we are now: the political noise is at full blast, the whites say the blacks are revolting and incapable while the blacks say the whites are revolting and selfish. If you were to listen to many so-called South African leaders, on social media and other public platforms, that is where our country is today. A country divided, our backs to each other.

A mere 24 years after we seemed to cohere under the vision of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa, we are swiftly disintegrating into a country of us and them, of camps and villages where we are defined by the colours of our skin. We are pointing fingers, we are shouting, we are angry. We cannot hear each other. We cannot bear each other.

Meanwhile, the ideological glue that has held it, largely, all together is coming undone. The ANC, the self-styled “leader of society”, is a party whose every regional or provincial meeting is characterised by the throwing of chairs, the intimidation of members, the paying of bribes and the shouting-down of leaders.

There is no thinking, no reflection, at ANC conferences. There is merely the warring for positions. The ANC cannot hold itself together. It cannot, therefore, hold the rest of our society together.

PIC’s Dan Matjila in Pretty mess, court told

PIC CEO Dan Matjila.

Public Investment Corporation boss Dan Matjila allegedly asked a company that had been granted loans through the PIC to pay off his girlfriend’s R300,000 debt. This is among the claims in documents filed by UDM leader Bantu Holomisa in the High Court in Pretoria this week.

Holomisa is seeking to have Matjila suspended and to prevent the PIC board from taking any decisions against the CEO, because of conflicts of interest.

In his documents, Holomisa claims board meeting minutes detailing claims of improper behaviour were “sanitised” by cutting out controversial portions. He also claims an investigation into Matjila was restricted to exclude his relationship with alleged girlfriend, Pretty Louw.

Matjila referred the Sunday Times to PIC spokesman Deon Botha, who said: “When the affidavit is received it will be shared with our board and legal division.”

‘Beast’ Mtawarira receives surprise call from president Cyril Ramaphosa on emotional week

Beast Mtawarira with his family.

Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira has revealed how SA president Cyril Ramaphosa phoned him to celebrate his 100th cap ahead of the Springboks’ Test match against England in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Mtawarira revealed he initially doubted that the caller was really Ramaphosa and he challenged him.

“I got a phone call from President Cyril Ramaphosa‚” he said.

“He said ‘it’s the president.’ I said ‘Oh’.

“When I realised who it was I got very formal‚ very quickly.

“He thanked me for what I had done and for inspiring South Africans.

“I was just really surprised that he knew who I was.

“He told me he’s calling to congratulate me. He said it is an inspiration for the whole South Africa. He kept it short. I just kept saying‚ ‘Yes Sir’‚ ‘thank you Sir.’

“It has been a really great night.

“I’d like to thank all of South Africa for supporting me throughout my career. I’m very happy.”

Mtawarira who went onto the field with his two kids with his teammates trailing far behind recalled the moment.

“My kids are my inspiration.

“My boy asked ‘what is the noise all about?’ It was extra special.”

SA beat England 23-12 to clinch the series on Saturday.

Free State’s first black chemicals manufacturer helps create jobs

Kevali Chemicals Executive Director Funeka Khumalo.

A local chemical manufacturing company is helping to fight unemployment by creating about seventy sustainable jobs in Harrismith in the Free State.

Kevali Chemicals is the first Free State black owned chemicals manufacturer of a range of water treatment chemicals, hygiene and sanitation solutions as well as adhesives.

The company was founded in 2014 by five friends who have expertise in chemicals, fast-moving consumer goods, product development, and adhesives industries.

“We all had many years of working experience and skills in different industries and thought we should come together and started this company,” said Khumalo.

company,” said Khumalo.

“In the beginning, we had to inject money to get the business off the ground but ultimately we received funding from the Department of Trade and Industry (The dti) through the Black Industrialist Scheme (BIS) as well as the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC),” she added.

The Black Industrialist Scheme supported Kevali Chemicals to acquire machinery and equipment to commence the new manufacturing and production line for water treatment, cleaning and disinfecting as well as adhesives.

The Scheme is a grant programme of the Black Industrialists Policy that aims to unlock the potential within black industrialists operating in South African economy through deliberate, targeted and well-defined financial and non-financial interventions.

Khumalo said it took about R18 million to get the business off the ground and about 11 months to start making profit.

“It was not easy to keep the business running. But we had a goal,” said Khumalo.

Today, the company has created about 70 jobs in Harrismith, from technicians and engineers to general workers and security guards.