Development and its discontents Review of Rasna Warah’s ‘Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits’

Anna White, Pambazuka

Last year, former World Bank economist Dambisa Moyo made waves with the publication of her controversial book, ‘Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working and How There is Another Way for Africa’. Over the past 60 years, she laments, at least US$1 trillion of development-related aid has flowed into Africa, yet the number of people living on less than a dollar a day has nearly doubled. She is not the first observer to contrast the size of the multi-billion dollar development industry and the blatant lack of progress on its stated goals.

Nationalisation’s Bogus Ambassador

by Fazila Farouk, SACSIS

The news that Julius Malema jetted off to Venezuela to learn more about nationalisation is distressing. Much more depressing than the fact that Malema has appointed himself ambassador for nationalisation in South Africa.

Nationalisation is already poorly judged in our neoliberal dominated world. Yet, if implemented with honour and integrity, it could potentially become one of the most effective programmes for governments to follow to engender a more equitable society, as the Venezuelans (and Bolivians) are showing.

Really, it is a shame

by Mashumi Figlan, Abahlali baseMjondolo

Really, it is a shame

South Africans are facing tough times. It is a time when there is no humanity, a time when no one in government is interested to listen to your story if you are a poor person. There are good thinkers in this country, but if their ideologies are coming from the bottom up, from poor communities, no one is prepared to listen carefully.

SAZF is disingenuously attempting to absolve itself of responsibility for barring Justice Richard Goldstone from attending grandson’s barmitzvah

Open Shuhadah Street, 04/16/2010

Julie Berman, Executive Director of the SA Zionist Federation (Western Cape) has written a letter to the Jewish community claiming that:

* Media reports that Goldstone has been banned from Sandton Shul are false

Malema: ANC’s PR nightmare on Zim

by Levi Kabwato & Malvern Mkudu, Zimbabwe In Pictures, 04/16/2010

If anyone still had any doubts about the credibility of South African president, Jacob Zuma as mediator in Zimbabwe’s government of national (dis)unity then the recent visit by Julius Malema to Harare will convince them to cast out the last lot of doubt still remaining within them and just embrace the truth of the matter, however painful it might be. 

Jon Qwelane sneaks into Uganda

by Sokari, Black Looks, 6 April 2010

Jon Qwelane who was appointed South African ambassador to Uganda sneaked into the country during Jacob Zuma’s recent visit. Qwelane was appointed ambassador despite facing charges in the SA Equality Court for an article in the Sun written in July 2008 – “Call me Names But Gay Is Not OK”. In the article Qwelane praises President Mugabe for his “unflinching and unapologetic stance over homosexuals” and no doubt is cheering the recent endorsement by MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Incidentally the statement by Tsvangirai contradicts the official MDC party statement so it is not clear what his motives were in making that statement.

Unemployed People’s Movement Statement on the National Crisis & Proposal for a Way Forward

8 April 2010

Our country is in crisis. The internal contradictions of the African National Congress have bought it to the point where it is no longer able to give leadership to society. It continues to speak the language of nationalism and national liberation but it has degenerated into an association of predatory elites hell bent on using the state to plunder the society. The gap between the ANC’s language and its practice is now so large that the organisation can no longer speak to the national interest with any conviction, clarity or credibility.

Soyinka defends Nigeria’s militants as attacks continue

Price for Oil, 16 March 2010

They are two moments in history, intricately linked, although poles apart. Today Peter Voser, the chief executive of Shell, outlines the company’s financial and production strategy for the coming year.

Once again Nigeria was mentioned as a key country where the company had added strategic reserves.

“These are exciting times for Shell”, said Voser. “We are poised to deliver a new wave of financial and production growth.”

ZINASU on Malema’s Visit to Harare

ANC YOUTH PRESIDENT, JULIUS MALEMA NOT WELCOME IN ZIMBABWE

“Shut up Julius Malema! Don’t export your confusion to Zimbabwe!”

The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) is opposed to the visit by (ANC) Youth League President, Julius Malema to Zimbabwe to meet ZANU PF officials and address rallies organized by ZANU PF. The visit by Malema is unacceptable, offensive, inciteful and politically misplaced considering that his President Jacob Zuma is the mediator of the endless talks in Zimbabwe who by virtue of being a mediator is expected to be neutral.

‘Black boers’ and other revolutionary songs

by Chris Rodrigues, Leaving Pessimism for Better Days

A hat tip to Mphutlane wa Bofelo for pointing out the subtext to the ANC’s claim to the “shoot the boer!” song: For is it not the case, as wa Bofelo points out, that the attempt to establish a heritage status for the song locates the struggle in the past? And what of the new songs that the poor sing today? Songs like, “amabhunu amnyama asenzela i -worry” — “black boers cause us worries”. Does this current storm in Julius Malema’s teacup not also divert attention from this reality?