South Africa: Inspiring new ways

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our country’s democracy. But it is not just another anniversary, it is our 21^st anniversary. Of all the birthday’s the 21st is probably the most significant and as a person the 21 holds many meanings.

Our country has grown a lot and we have matured. We showed the world that we can indeed compete against the big boys and girls and we can stand bold on the podium with our gold medals, lift our winning trophy’s and host successful tournaments. Indeed South Africa: Inspiring new ways…

Normally the 21 is a symbol of adulthood and having matured, and what an ironic moment for our country following xenophobic attacks the past few days. Commemorating the 21^st anniversary of our democracy is an ideal opportunity to show our maturity, unite Africa and say #NoToXenophobia!

With our multi-ethnic society we are the 25th-largest country in the world by land area, and with close to 53 million people, we the world's 25th-most populous nation. Our beloved country is one of a few in Africa never to have had a coup d'état, with regular elections.

South Africa was the fifth country, the first (and only, as of January 2015) in Africa, the first in the southern hemisphere, the first republic, and the second outside Europe to legalise same-sex marriage.

Yes we have our challenges, and we not the perfect nation but South Africa’s pride is the motto in our Coat of Arms: Unity in Diversity.

Happy Birthday South Africa!

• Today also marks 15 years since the current Coat of Arms of South Africa was introduced: ǃke e: ǀxarra ǁke meaning "Diverse People Unite"

21 Years demands overnight

The ongoing unrest in Mbekweni on the eve of Freedom Day is not how the local community and the residents of Drakenstein should commemorate 21 years of democracy. 

In order to deliver we need not only reconciliation but we have to redress the past. Unfortunately correcting 300 years of oppression by wanting 21 years demands overnight is a challenge and practically impossible. What should not be a challenge and be possible is working with all the parties in reaching a solution, within the legal framework.

Electrifying informal settlements is not a long term solution, nor is it a safe one. Issuing statements and not listening to the cries of the protesters will not dry those tears.

Damaging of public and private property should be condemned and it creates more problems than solutions. Funds that could have been spent on a better future for our children must now be spent to correct the wrongs of a few.

By “Celebrating the Beginning of the Third Decade of our Freedom through Accelerating Radical Economic Transformation” we will have to take hands as South Africans, admit our weaknesses and use our strengths for all our opportunities to make our democracy work.

Residents of Mbekweni have been protesting the past few days demanding all informal settlements are electrified. Some say a promise that was made to them. An IDP meeting was disrupted Wednesday evening and on Thursday evening a municipal building vandalised and the local train station set alight with burning tyres placed on the tracks.

Ja, ek is bruin en trots daarop

Binnekort vier ons Vryheidsdag, een van die sleutelgebeure vir ons demokrasie, toe Suid-Afrikaners – ongeag ras – hul kruisie vir ’n demokrasie kon trek in 1994.

Onlangse gesprekke, debatte en opinies oor ras dwing my egter om 21 jaar in ons demokrasie te sê, klassifiseer my asseblief as Suid-Afrikaner.

Sowat ’n jaar gelede het ek via Twitter ’n munisipaliteit gekontak oor ’n diensleweringskwessie. Die verantwoordelike departementshoof het binne sekondes reageer en kort daarna die premier van die Wes-Kaap. Ek is met ’n antwoord op my navraag voorsien en om verskoning gevra vir die ongerief.

Op my dankie reageer iemand: “Earl is wit omdat sy probleem opgelos word. Swart inwoners word uit hul huise gesit en wittes onmiddellik gehelp.” 

Hierop moes ek vra: hoekom is my ras belangrik?  Ek is ’n Suid-Afrikaner en ras moet nie ’n saak wees nie.

’n Vriend van my vertel onlangs hoe hy geoordeel word en die lelike kommentaar wat gemaak word omdat hy en sy meisie nie dieselfde ras is nie. My woorde aan hom was, liefde ken alles en verdra alles. Ongelukkig is hy nie die eerste en enigste van my vriende wat met iemand van ’n ander ras uitgaan en daaroor geoordeel word nie.

Ek verstaan en respekteer ons land se geskiedkundige agtergrond, maar voel ten spite hiervan en ons jong demokrasie, moet ras nie die eerste ding wees wat in ons kop opkom nie. Ek twyfel of in enige ander land jy gevra gaan word wat jou ras is, jy sal liefs jou nasionaliteit gevra word.

Tog is dit bietjie selfsugtig om te argumenteer dat ras nie saak maak en nie belangrik is nie. Ek het al menigmaal gehoor hoe mense sê ek was eers te swart en nou is ek te wit, sommige noem my hotnot en andere ’n confused ras. Ek is bruin en trots daarop.

Het jy al ooit daaroor gewonder, as jy nie jy was nie, wie sou jy wees?

Groot word was dalk nie maklik nie, maar die realiteit is dat die lewe nie maklik is nie.

Dood, ongelukke, uitdagings, siekte, geloof, seksuele oriëntasie en liefde is maar ’n paar dinge wat nie vir ras vra nie, maar gebeur.

So mense kan my boesman en hotnot noem, dit is deel van my erfenis. As dit nie deel van my Skepper se plan was nie, sou hy my sekerlik nie so geskape het nie.

Soms gaan ons deur die lewe soos om deur ’n donkerkamer met onsekerheid te loop, maar sodra die lig aangaan, voel ons selfversekerd.

Hoekom skaam wees oor wie jy is, as jy na Sy ewebeeld geskape is.

Alles in die wêreld het ’n label, moet ek ook een hê?

Nes dood en liefde, sal die rassekaart maar gedurig voorkom, om dit te oorbrug moet ons erken en trots wees op wie ons is – insluitende ons erfenis. Ons moet verby ons verskille kyk en strewe na eenheid deur ons diversiteit.

Ja, ek is ’n bruin en trots daarop, maar klassifiseer my as ’n Suid-Afrikaner, want ek is deel van die One Tribe waarvan Vicky Sampson sing as sy sê “we were meant to be as one, one heart, one soul, one tribe under heaven, we are one

• Hierdie rubriek het oorspronklik op Donderdag 23 April 2015 in Paarl Post op bl.6 verskyn

The challenge is no match

Easter is about more than Easter eggs, pickle fish and hot cross buns, we all will enjoy – it’s a reminder for all, not just Christians that Jesus came to earth suffered and died on the cross for our sins. 
I commemorate Easter with John 16 v 16 – 33 with v 33 as reflection. 
Jesus Christ was arrested, stood trial, was condemned and crucified and soon his disciples would carry his message throughout the world. Jesus knew that they would be tested, tempted and followed, thus the final instruction, a warning and a promise.
If you read carefully you would notice Jesus told his disciples not that they would possibly cross trouble, he told them that they would encounter problems. They were hated and followed, some died because of what they believed.
Jesus told his disciples that they would suffer in the world, but despite this they should remain peaceful and keep faith.
Given the events the past week, it is important for us to note until Christ comes, Christians would always be in conflict with one another in this world.
Christians are unique with our type of loyalty, values, believes and lifestyles. We don’t compromise, and still every day enriches someone’s live, accepting Jesus as his creator.
Our actions as Christians don’t make us popular and we’ll also experience trouble; despite this we’ll have peace. Jesus tells us in the bible, he overcome it all for us.
Because we know and believe that our Lord overcome sin, death and all Satan’s temptations and attacks, we can look courage and prosperity in the eye to take on any challenge with a calm and powerful spirit.
As we celebrate Easter, we do so knowing there’s many challenges, but Christ comes and tell us no matter what your challenge, what ever is keeping you awake at night, what ever makes you doubt in him, whether its tomorrow’s bread money, the back pain that won’t go away, drugs that you don’t know how to stop, fear that you might be a pregnant and you only a teenager, or still looking for a job – have faith, believe – Christ has overcome it all...

Misreading questions?

I

On Monday March 2^nd, 2015 there was a shortage of announcements at Bellville station. After engaging with commuters, I wrote the email below to senior management and the station management.

Evening

With Metrorail's inability to communicate proactively, I'm forwarding this email.

Apparently there are little to no announcements on when the next train to Muldersvlei would arrive and depart. There was one scheduled for 17:35 but no announcements on why it is delayed or when it would arrive.

Could you answer the following:

What is the interval time between announcements, in general?

What is the interval time between announcements, per line (e.g. Muldersvlei trains are made every 60 minutes)?

Then and there's possibly no policy on this:

- what is the prescribed time interval for announcements?

- what is the prescribed time interval for announcements when trains are delayed by ±15 minutes?

Look forward to a response

This morning I received the following email and then replied on it…

Sincere apologies for the delay in response. Unfortunately I was unable to respond as there were more serious matters requiring my attention. The delay in response was not intentional.

According to records on hand, announcements were made as early as from 13H15 from CMOCC, in informing customers of delays on the Northern line due to defective points at Bellville and defective track circuits at Eerste River and Kraaifontein.

We also have the automated railcom system which is set to announce every 15 minutes. However, yesterday the railcom as well as the PA system  was down at Bellville, which rendered it impossible to make announcements in the morning and a big portion of the afternoon. However, approximately 16h30, the technicians had managed to repair it. Regular announcements were then made.

I would really urge you to please approach us if you experience any problem at Bellville station. If I’m not in my office, you will find me at Platforms 4&9. Those are the platforms where we experience most of our challenges. Furthermore, I would like you to report any staff member who does not treat you with respect or is rude to you. This is the only way in which I will be able to appropriately deal with the staff member.

As a standard however, I always emphasize to staff to always focus on customer centricity.

Please feel free to contact me, if you are at the station and the staff member fails to assist you.

My response:

I doubt 7 other commuters who were standing on Bellville station (since 17:00) could be wrong and not have heard any announcements.

Also note you have not answered my specific questions, but given a response to my introduction.

Trains were delayed by 60+ minutes, but this was not announced and only @CapeTownTrains tweeted 40minutes - and even after sending them tweets to tell CMOCC to check their facts, I was just ignored.

I have said this before, and I'm glad the RM agreed with me - do not underestimate the commuter. I might not have studied rail, but with basic education I can read the delay and make the math. Why is it not possible for Metrorail's Operational Centre to have better communication with (1)drivers) and (2)stations.

I know you dealing with bad management and bad (no) planning of the past, but currently you contributing to bad management and bad planning (and PLEASE DO NOT MISQUOTE me! I'm not saying any manager is bad, I'm talking about the organisation - meaning Metrorail as a collective, because everyone is not playing the game along)

I then received this email:

If a staff member did not in any way assist you, please lay a formal complaint and the matter will be dealt with according to the company’s internal processes.

You must however bear in mind, that in any corrective action process, I must adhere to the audi alteram partem rule, affording the employee an opportunity to state his or her case. Your evidence will thus be crucial in such process, therefore my request to reduce your complaint into writing and availability to attend the internal process.

This will greatly assist us to correct any unacceptable behavior towards our customers.

The following was my response, before I received a call saying the manager will pursue legal action as I am attacking the manager’s character and in the email I’m saying the manager is incompentent (I’m still trying to find that part in the email)…

The issue is not staff member/s. The issue is announcements that were not made. Now have you not added the 16:30, I would have said thank you - but you creating loopholes for me to criticize.

You also failed to answer two very specific questions.

- What is the interval time between announcements, in general?

- What is the interval time between announcements, per line (e.g. Muldersvlei trains are made every 60 minutes)?

As said in my previous email, SEVEN commuters I was engaging with did not hear an announcement between 17:00 and 18:15 regarding Muldersvlei trains.

I am well aware of affording a staff member the opportunity to respond to a complaint against the staff member and in this case xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx a complaint would be against you for poor management on Monday March 2nd, 2015 by failing to ensure adequate communication to commuters. 

Besides no action ever taken against a manager of Metrorail, the above is a complaint I do not wish to log, as I believe an honest and straight-forward answer - yes there was a lack of communication and there are no guidelines on the interval time between announcements and we will apologize to commuters this afternoon every 30minutes from 16:30 to 19:00 - can solve this issue.

Point of Order to disrupt

Democracy was the biggest loser when the ANC in the Western Cape Legislature disappointed me on Friday 20^th February 2015. Their disruptions took place less than 24 hours after the head of state appealed to all to be calm, respect our democratic institutions and to play the ball not the man.

The ANC clearly copied the EFF when starting the sitting with a Point of Order, they also copied the EFF by trying to make it as difficult as possible for the Speaker and for her to call in security to remove members. It is clear parties entered the chamber with a plan.

While both parties made some blunders no one really scored, but it is the ANC who looks like the biggest loser.

Whether intentional or not, EFF tactics were copied disrupting a sitting of a democratic institution. This happened at Parliament and now also at two provincial legislatures. While these actions show after two decades our democracy is maturing, it also holds a threat as soon municipal councillors will copy these disruptive tactics and try it during their meetings – that would be a sad day for democracy as municipal councils meet once a quarter and service delivery will suffer from this.

ANC Chief Whip, Pierre Uys, was within his right to raise a point of order. His point of order was on an incident that occurred on December 4^th, 2014 – where racist remarks were made by the Premier of the Western Cape and the Leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature, the Zille withdrew her remark, but Fransman refused. Speaker Sharna Fernandez responded to Uys' Point of Order – which in all honesty, even though Uys put it in context, felt like a statement.

Having said the above, I agree and feel EFF MPL, Nazier Paulsen, gave a good summary in his response to the events: The Opposition's concerns are valid and nothing prevents the Opposition from still referring the matter for judiciary inquiry if the outcome is still unsatisfactory.

Why the ANC disappointed me:

One should first admit that the ANC MPL’s did not disrupt Premier Helen Zille’s State of the Province Address. The ANC in the legislature did disrupt the house, that prevented the Premier from delivering her State of the Province Address and that is why I’m disappointed as it is the same party who condemned the Economic Freedom Fighters from disrupting a Joint Sitting of Parliament when President Jacob Zuma, had to deliver the State of the Nation Address.

While everyone in the province might not have voted for the DA, all parties accepted the outcome and whether we like it or not Helen Zille was re-elected to lead the province.

When the ANC announced their A-team in June 2014 it said it wants to hold the DA accountable and see real improvements. They failed on both objectives…

I would have loved to hear the premier address the province in outlining what her government is planning to better the lives of all.

The ANC MPLs should have allowed the Premier to deliver her address, after the second adjournment and then hold the DA government accountable on what was not achieved and also debate if the plans will bring real improvement.

The Leader of the Opposition in the House, disappointed me when he raised a point of order about a live feed and what was more disappointing is that fellow MPLs supported his point by trying the correct the Speaker that a live feed has been cut.

Anyone who follows SOPA would know (1) there is no live feed to the TV and (2) the feed that goes from the House to the Parliamentary channel goes via the National Legislature and is not operated by the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. Marius Fransman and Pierre Uys should have checked the facts before making themselves look bad.

A problem can only be addressed if you admit there is one, same with racism – as it is still alive, not only in the Western Cape but South Africa. Allow me my 5 seconds:

It is ironic that the ANC – the same party who says the colourd vote is important – and have a march against racism in the province (a day before the State of the Province Address), decided to ‘attack’ a colourd lady - who has one of the most senior positions in the province - and say she is not capable of being the presiding officer. And to make matters worse, a white male – who happens to be a former member of the National Party started the attack.

As a footnote:

ANC MPLs knew that ‘attacking’ and criticizing Premier Zille would not work and they decided to go for the Speaker. In politics this is probably allowed but accusing her of acting bias and partisan was not fair, given she asked the Chief Whip of the governing party to take his seat and allowed the Chief Whip of the opposition to complete his points of order.

So she made a blunder or two and created room for the opposition to criticize, but she tried to apply the rules, constitution and treated all members equal. To top it all she managed to keep her cool and not call the police for disruptive members.

The ANC had a point of order, but the order of the day was never achieved.

A broken heart understanding faith, dreams & life

I am able to write this today thanks to amazing doctors, technology and medicine around the globe. I was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and with 5 out of every 10 000 babies born with this Congenital Heart Disease there are many others who are not so lucky.

We all feel more or less the same amount of pain, but we all have a different story. Those stories make us who we are and our scar(s) show others that we are lucky ones. We are stronger and happy kids, thus we call ourselves Warriors, for our fighting spirit.

It is thanks to the support of medical staff, our families and friends but also fate and souls that we are here.

I am proud of my heart condition, it makes me smile, fight and understand the meaning of faith, dreams and life.

A paediatric heart surgeon, dr. Mani, describes Congenital Heart Disease as a chilling phrase; a lethal constellation of birth defects of the heart that affect millions of newborn infants and children; a killer that claims thousands of lives every year.

“A fortunate few, mostly in the developed countries, are cured by the miracles of modern medicine. Sadly, the vast majority do not have access to treatment; they are forced to lead restricted lifestyles, denied the opportunity to become productive and participating members of their communities.”

I’ve had about four heart related surgeries and while I can’t remember the ones as a baby, I remember and still feel the pain of my most recent one (in 2013). Every day is a learning curve, and is different. I’ve come to terms that the one moment it would be as if I’m ready to jump from mountain to mountain and in a split second I would be so sick I can hardly move. I’ve made peace with the unannounced pain.

Video of ToF repair (not for sensitive viewers)

Family, friends, colleagues might think once you had the surgery you okay, but CHD is a long term problem – one you born with and one you will take with you to your grave.

A CHD patient after treatment, if lucky and in a more developed country can look forward to another 50 years. The path though is full of obstacles and uncertainties, not forgetting complications. Employment, insurance, marriage and children are all issues that you constantly think of and worry about.

Most countries and even organisations devote more time and budgets towards adult heart disease research. Research and funding for CHD is thus scarce, almost like the support.

About TOF:
Tetralogy of Fallot is classically understood to involve four anatomical abnormalities of the heart (although only three of them are always present). It is the most common cyanotic heart defect, and the most common cause of blue baby syndrome.
It is treated with corrective surgery, usually within the first year of life, but presents with long-term problems including arrhythmia, pulmonary regurgitation and re-operation.
It was described in 1672 by Niels Stensen, in 1773 by Edward Sandifort and in 1888 by the Frensch physician Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot, after whom it is named. 

Tetralogy of Fallot results in low oxygenation of blood due to the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the left ventricle via the ventricular septal defect and preferential flor of the mixed blood from both ventricles through the aorta because of the obstruction of flow through the pulmonary valve. This is known as a right-to-left-shunt.

Other symptoms include a heart murmur which may range from almost imperceptible to very loud, difficulty in feeding, failure to gain weight, retarded growth and physical development, dyspnea on extertion, clubbing of the fingers and toes and pulycythemia.

According to CHD Info, it is obvious that:

• the causes of CHD need to be detected, and soon
• the problem needs to be highlighted, brought into the limelight
• medical facilities need to be made accessible to all patients
• CHD families need ongoing constant support
• treatment must be viewed as a long-term continuing process

Part of the solution is:

Prepare a realistic plan that will assist in diagnosing and treating CHD, while harnessing the power of the Internet as an action-oriented health education and awareness tool,

Create a small community-based structure, and encourage interaction and co-operation,

Enhancing public knowledge of CHD,

Setting aside a day of remembrance and celebration of the great medical advances which keep our loved ones alive would honor the unseen battle that children and adults with CHD fight daily. The creation of a day of this kind would help to lift the barrier of ignorance, helping both the families and individuals who currently are affected