March 4 2004
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March 4 2004 |
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Patricia de Lille is making inroads with her "Back to Basics" Independant Democrats party. Seems her party attracts more DA members than what most would've expected. A local councillor says that, as with any big organisation, problems start creeping in. Obviously Tony Leon hasn't been driving the DA bus too smoothly over the years of being the biggest opposition party in the country. At this stage I don't think he can be bothered too much with these issues, the elctions are round the corner!
A judge ruled that prisoners must have the right to vote (in order for the ANC to get more votes). The general feeling amongst law-abiding citizens are that these guys should not have the right to vote. No issues here from my side! They call it a democratic, open and free election, but how democratic were these prisoners when they broke the law? What rights did their victims have at the time of the crime? Fair for them to get a vote? Don't think so. But these are exactly the type of votes the ANC desperately need. Especially those who deserved the death sentence. The IEC (Independant Electoral Commission) say they've made provision to register the jailbirds, just for in case! Yet, it was a big story to get South Africans in foreign countries the same right. Another case of the criminal having more rights than the ordinary citizen / victim?
The Rand has been performing exceptionally well of late, yet government decided to push the fuel price up (again). We are now reaching the stage of the most expensive fuel this country has ever had to endure. For those unaware of this, standard unleaded already cost well over R4 a liter. We all know what happens when the fuel price goes up - everything gets more expensive and the unions start pushing for bigger increases. This in turn puts pressure on our economy which does the inflation rate no good.
This past Sunday saw quite a few South Africans weep openly. The reason? The very pretty and talented Charlize Theron. I won't be surprised if the last this happened was when Jodi Sheckter won the Formula 1 crown many years ago. We have the talent, from scientists to race drivers to actors to..., okay sorry - not that many sportsmen. Wanted to tell a joke about the Springboks, but they were too quick for me. Back to Charlize, just wish them "self important, self righteous" Americans would learn how to pronounce her surname!
At least the rugby players' new boss seems to have a plan! For a change! Any player wanting to qualify for the Springbok team must now comply with certain fitness rules - a prop forward must be able to sprint 10m in 1.8 seconds and 40m in 5.65. A 100kg prop must be able to lift (bench press) at least 150kg. Hey, another 3 weeks at gym and I might qualify. Jake White, seems there's some hope yet!
And in South Africa's worst rape trial, one Fanwell Khumalo was found guilty in the Johannesburg High Court on a 103 out of a 132 charges. 39 charges of rape, 3 attempted murder, 17 indecent assaults, 35 kidnappings, 8 robbery and one of common assault. These crimes were committed between 1997 and 2001.
A quick update - more photos in the galleries.
