CYRIL'S STUPID MOVE

Cyril: Why on earth did you seek a court injunction against a newspaper from publishing e-mails allegedly suggesting multiple affairs?  It was an irrational stupid move.  If only you had taken a page from a long line of politicians whose sexual liaisons, no matter how offensive, played no role in seeking political office.  In today's world a politician's sex scandal has as much negative impact as jaywalking.

What is of concern, however, is your hypocrisy.  For years you were silent while your ANC comrades wantonly looted state resources. When you should have spoken out in parliament and elsewhere you were nothing more than a smiling potted plant.  It was only when you entered the presidential race that you found your cajones.  Too little, too feeble, too late.

ANC MPs - THE GOOD LIFE

There were those hoping that ANC MPs would under the veil of a secret ballot vote to oust Jacob Zuma.  More so, because a number of MPs had broken ranks, and were no longer willing to subordinate principle over party loyalty.

As it turned out 30 MPs left the ANC hive by voting for the motion of no confidence.
Some now regard the mini revolt as tangible evidence of deepening fractures within the ANC.  Possibly,  but all things considered, the ANC's hive-like mentality will crush further defections, and more so because individual self-interest prevails over principle.

Think of it this way:   The vast majority of ANC MPs are beholden to the party for their fine lifestyles -  unquestioning and submissive loyalty to the party translates into an extraordinary investment towards an MP's quality of life - very much like drones in a honey bee colony.

PROTESTS & PRIVATE PROSECUTION

The Times editorial (18/7/17) bemoaned the fact "that there is little hope of South Africa's hobbled prosecutors bringing the perpetrators of state capture to book".  True, even when charges are filed the docket is either lost, stolen, or dumped in the round file.

The solution, according to the editorial is for certain civil society "to march on those who can do something about the problem - the prosecutors and the police".  

In addition to protest marches, private prosecution is available when law enforcement sits on its hands.  Why is it we haven't heard from Gerry Nel who left the NPA for this very purpose?  It's not as if there is an acute shortage of egregious criminal conduct to prosecute!

BALEKA MBETA : A DOEK WITHOUT SUBSTANCE

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete cuts a fine figure bedecked from head to toe in coordinated finery. In fact, she is one of the few who complements the meaning of mutton dressed up as lamb.

The same cannot be said for her belief that "some judges" are biased against ANC litigants. According to her "it has nothing to do with merit, with correctness or wrongness".  An indefensible belief that goes so far as to metaphorically stain
her regalia.  Like the emperor who wears no clothes, she refuses to see things for what they truly are, instead of denying the truth of the situation.

Rather than asserting judicial bias and overreach, Mbete should surely understand that she and her ANC comrades are their own worst enemies.  She, and others are to blame for endless irrational decisions that demand judicial review.  It has nothing to do with judicial bias, but rather a pervasive level of vacuity that resides in the ANC's theatre of the absurd.

SOUTH AFRICA - AN EASY MARK FOR EASY MONEY

There is no question that South Africa is a mark for easy money dishonestly obtained, or with very little work or effort. One simply has to ask the infamous Gupta brothers how easy it was to capture the state and its SOEs, aided and abetted by government officials bent on lining their pockets.

There is another situation where government insidiously and wantonly wastes obscene sums of money with very little or no attention drawn to it.  This involves consultancy firms retained by national and local government to provide so-called specialised services.  It is legal, but in most cases morally indefensible, because such services, mostly fall into the category of routine in-house responsibilities.

Consultancy services are big business in South Africa - R25-billion spent in the 2015-16 financial year. The likes of Transnet, SABC, Eskom and SAA are addicted to global consultancy services.  They fool themselves that such services will magically dig them out of self-created financial holes.  If it was so, there would be no need for ongoing government guarantees to bail out SOE albatrosses metaphorically around the neck of South Africa's economy.  Billions of rand redound to the benefit of consultants for so-called expertise for what is already patently known, except for dressed-up management consulting double speak.

A couple of journalists recently raised the question of hidden beneficiaries from the billions of rand flowing between global consultancy firms and SOEs.  A bit of a stretch?  Not very likely.

WILL THE SA JUDICIARY BE WHISTLING DIXIE?

President Jacob Zuma is fed up with South Africa's constitutional democracy.  In comments at the ANC's policy conference he lashed out at opposition parties for challenging government decisions in court.  He could have also added his bitter frustration in having to fend off court challenges against him.   But, that would have been too self-serving even for our president.

The court challenges, according to Zuma, undermine the government from implementing its policies, and flies in the face of his understanding of democracy.  In Zuma's world constitutional democracy is unworkable, because "you can't do anything". . . So that, in a sense, [democracy] undermines simple logic that the majority rules. . . "

Zuma is street smart, but when it comes to the workings of democracy he is as dumb as a rock. To him the fact that the ANC is the majority of the electorate gives his government the right to place its interests above all else. That being so, the courts have no business in challenging government decisions.

There are now rumblings for the party to review the Constitution to emasculate the courts.  It seems history will be repeating itself.

ANC POLICY CONFERENCE: REFLECTION & RENEWAL? NO, BUT TIME TO SHOW OFF RADICALLY TRANSFORMED DANCE MOVES!

The discussion documents have been released in advance of the upcoming ANC policy conference.  I wonder how many of you in attendance will have read, let alone understood the discussion documents.  To those who are in need of a bare bones simplified version, I am happy to oblige.  It will give you  the opportunity to at least engage in the discourse, and who knows, even impress your fellow comrades.  If so, you can then pursue more lucrative opportunities at the year-end elective conference.  

At first glance the discussion documents are sugar- coated in feel good lofty ideals that characterised the political movement of long ago, but no more.  

I do not wish to bore you with in-depth discussion details which may put you to sleep.  So, all you need to know is that the conference is supposed to be focused on policy for the good of the country, but it is now centered on the party's loss of power.  Although the documents profess the need for the party to engage in self-correction and renewal, the underlying message is one of paranoia and protecting vested self-interests.  This means that a litany of real issues, such as state capture, are essentially ignored.  So innately predictable, wouldn't you say?

Perhaps you will consider the urgent need to speak up in the name of renewal and self-correction.  It will be more satisfying than simply dancing the time away with  your comrades. 

THE IGNORANT ZUPTOID RUSHES IN . . .

Once again the spectre of underhandedness amongst South Africa's public officials has reared its ugly head.  This time it was Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's off-the-wall recommendation to Parliament to change the Reserve Bank's constitutional mandate.  Instead of the central bank's core role in protecting the value of our currency, its mandate would shift to protecting the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens.

Inasmuch as Mkhwebani's background lacks even less than rudimentary understanding of economic issues, it is highly unlikely she originated the recommendation to parliament.   Rather it is more likely she was fed Marxist voodoo economics emanating from Minister Gigaba's advisors - a witches' brew of ill-conceived and unrealistic economic policies.    Policies that Gigaba recognized could not publicly be advanced by Treasury, but which could, and have been set in motion to capture the Reserve Bank, one of the last bastions of stability and independence, with the cooperation of the Public Protector.

What other plausible explanation can one advance for the Public Protector's unwarranted interference in economic matters?  Can't think of another one - can you?

DEJA VU ALL OVER OVER AGAIN!

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane recently announced a preliminary probe into state capture following leaked Gupta emails .  According to her, a preliminary probe is a condition precedent to whether a full scale investigation will take place, if at all.  

The emails implicate government officials, state entities, and Gupta-controlled companies for crimes ranging from corruption, fraud, theft, racketeering to money laundering.

The ANC has welcomed the Public Protector's preliminary probe, because failing to do so will undermine "the integrity and credibility of our government and state".   Hypocritical hogwash indeed!  The ANC has for years turned a blind eye  to ANC government officials waltzing in bed with the Guptas. 

If the ANC was genuinely concerned with restoring credibility in government, it would align with those demanding the Hawks and the NPA do their jobs by vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who unlawfully enriched themselves to the detriment of the nation.  

The Gupta emails are a criminal investigator's dream as they are the smoking gun of incontrovertible incriminating evidence of egregious criminal conduct.  

Why then the ploy for a public protector's probe?  Simply to kick the can down a long road to nowhere to immunize those implicated from criminal prosecution. As Yankees baseball legend Yogi Berra would say "It's deja vu [in South Africa] all over again!"

GUPTA E-MAILS: WHAT NOW IF ANYTHING?

It is no surprise the ANC is calling for a judicial inquiry into state capture following bombshell revelations contained in leaked Gupta e-mails.   It can no longer turn a blind eye to a reservoir of evidence of looting of state resources under its watch.

On its face the ANC's call for a judicial inquiry seems reasonable.  Not so, in light of South Africa's dismal history with commissions failing to hold anyone responsible.  In the context of South Africa's political machinations, a commission to probe state capture is doomed, because it affords ample opportunities, as in the past, for those implicated to manipulate and subvert the very purpose for which the commission is intended.

The revelations are prima facie evidence of particularly serious crimes that demand investigation by the Hawks and prosecution by the NPA. Whether it will be a commission, a criminal investigation, or both, the scandal, like so many others, will be swept under the rug to languish and collect dust.  One is then left with the long-held axiom that white-collar crime in South Africa's public sector does pay handsomely.

AN OPEN LETTER TO DUDUZANE ZUMA

Hey Dudu:

The Times reported (31/5/17) that in 2015 you purchased a swanky Dubai flat for nearly R18 million in the prestigious Burj Khalifa.

I am pleased your association with the Gupta brothers has not only been an enriching experience, but one that has taught you to geographically diversify your property portfolio.

Although I, and many South Africans have never met you, we do have a special relationship.  As South African taxpayers we funded the purchase of your flat through an exclusive VIP programme, the brainchild of you know who, infamously known as 'State Capture'.

Inasmuch as I, and my fellow taxpayers are third party beneficiaries in the purchase of your flat, we clearly share in the fruits thereof. I suggest a time share arrangement managed by your friends at the Saxonwold compound.

I plan to be in Dubai in two weeks to check out the place, and report back to my fellow time share beneficiaries.  Please insure a plentiful supply of Chivas and caviar, not forgetting fresh 600 thread count cotton sheets on the beds.

I, and my fellow South African taxpayers are keen to meet you. I suggest we do so over a drink - that's what new friends do.

Regards,

Errol Horwitz

JARED KUSHNER - THE COST OF NEPOTISM

As more details emerge of Russia's interference in the US presidential election, speculation is transforming into recognition that Trump's campaign and transition team aides acted in concert with Russia.

The recent revelation to surface is the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, proposing to Russia's ambassador to the US, a clandestine communication channel  between the Kremlin and the Trump transition team.   His proposal - a backchannel with equipment located at the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C.

Kushner is in for a torrid time, a time that may include prison time.  His failure, according to Reuters, to disclose phone calls with Russian officials when applying for his security clearance puts him squarely in the middle of a federal investigation.  Kushner's explanation:  he has no "recollection" of the calls.  A  simply absurd defence unless he can produce evidence of an early onset of dementia!

Inasmuch as Kushner now finds himself in the centre of a federal probe, he should  have at the outset realized that, as a real estate developer, he was unqualified to be Trump's senior adviser for everything.  The die is cast as Kushner will learn to his detriment.

A DEN OF THIEVES AND LIARS

The ANC's has expressed public outrage at Brian Molefe's reinstatement as Eskom's CEO.  Other than outrage it refuses to take action, and has called upon government and parliament to remove Molefe.

Clearly all is not well at Luthuli House.  Public Enterprises Minister Lynn Brown was summoned to Luthuli House on May 15, 2017, for the express purpose of instructing Brown to reverse Molefe's appointment, alternatively, dissolve the board.

Nothing came about following Brown's tete-a-tete with the ANC's top six. - no reversal of Molefe's reinstatement, or dissolution of the board, other than an expedient referral of the scandal to government and parliament -  another clear indication of the ANC losing control.

In the meantime Molefe's hotline to the Gupta brothers must be ringing off the hook.  We have Brown  and Ben Ngubane, Eskom's chairman to thank for reinstating Molefe, which can be turned into an opportunity by firing all three of them.

EUROPE SEES DONALD TRUMP FOR WHAT HE IS - A CLOWNISH MORON

For a time Europe's political elite were filled with confusion and trepidation about Donald Trump and his foreign policy.  His rantings appeared to to be cemented in right-wing populist ideology.  In time the Europeans realiized their mistake. They now view Trump as an unprepared and ill-informed dilettante, whose sentence structure is limited to a noun, a verb, and ending in "fake news", "build a wall", or "America First".

The world will be watching Trump closely  on his international tour of the Middle East and Europe - not for diplomatic triumphs of his making, but rather to what extent Trump will erode America's global standing even further.

Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of the conservative National Interest Journal  told a meeting at the German Foreign Office that "the dominant reaction to Trump right now is mockery", to which the word "irrelevant" can also be added.  Irrelevant inasmuch as the upcoming NATO meeting with Trump  has supposedly been downgraded from a summit to a dinner.  Those attending the meeting have been asked to confine remarks between two to four minutes to keep Trump's attention. In other words, there is no need to invest meaningful time and effort because the Trump presidency is destined to be the shortest in US history.

TRUMP'S DAY OF DESTINY

May 17, 2017, will be a day Donald Trump will want to forget.  It was a day when he was given a civics lesson on the limitations of presidential power, a lesson that presidents before him grumbled about, but in Trump's feeble mind did not apply to him at all.

The appointment of a special counsel by the Justice Department to take over the investigation into collusion between Trump campaign aides and Russia was a good day for democratic institutional accountability.

The rule of law in the US is alive and well, and events of the past week highlight the rules that apply to other politicians have finally inveigled Trump.  He once boasted that his shooting of someone on Fifth Avenue would be inconsequential to his voters.  But, as President his arrogance, pomposity and hubris has become a liability even amongst his most ardent supporters.   To Trump, the race for the White House was a game in which winning is paramount - an obsession that is central to Trump's egomaniacal character.   

In time Trump may face impeachment.  He will resign rather than impeachment which in his disturbed mind will be a win. 

JACOB ZUMA, HIS CABINET & A PiG WITH LIPSTICK

The Times recently reported on President Zuma's cabinet "spruc[ing] up [the] shop" in preparation of upcoming visits by rating agencies.

The cabinet's task reminds one of the porcine proverb:  "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig".  It will be interesting to see if Zuma and his cabinet  can do the impossible by making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Until such time as the ANC government actually implements wide-ranging political and economic reforms, the country's sovereign credit rating will not be upgraded.

ANC government's promises to effect change do not sway rating agencies, unless meaningful change takes place. There is a problem, however, as Zuma and his cabinet fail to understand that one can, in the words of Barak Obama, "wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called 'change'.  It's still gonna stink after eight years".

TRUMP'S RUSSIAGATE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Donald Trump isn't an ignoramus. He just talks like one.  One analysis, citing "a cramped simplistic vocabulary found that Trump talks just below a sixth-grade reading level".   His followers, embedded with the intellectual level of a can of sardines, are intoxicated by his incendiary language, as they see him as the savior of America's forgotten men and women.

The forgotten are angry white voters who from day one refused to accept Barak Obama, a black man, as president of the United States.  Trump understood the raw emotions of his followers, and used a litany of linguistic contrivances to exploit their prejudices to the fullest. One merely has to look back on Trump's campaign of relentless deception to undermine the legitimacy of the nation's first black president.  Was it the cynical start of his campaign for president to curry favour of the missing white voters from elections in 2008 and 2012?  Applying the 'duck test' it is exactly what it seems to be.

As far as his followers are concerned, Trump can do no wrong, despite his blatant anti-truth-telling shrouded in a mix of repetitive short sentences characterised by empty adverbs and adjectives.   Trump comes across as a spiteful, vengeful, arrogant, boastful,  naive, and unquestionably a serial prevaricator.   He doesn't fit the mold of a normal president - what you see is what you get. A bizarre authenticity that resonates with 46% of the electorate.

Since the election the majority of the electorate believe Trump is bad for America - a colossal case of buyer's remorse, and with each passing day, proving to be unfit for the job.

There are signs that Trump's presidency is in trouble. A case in point, the FBI's criminal investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government to derail Hillary Clinton's election is ongoing despite Trump's bombshell in firing FBI Director James Comey.  The firing reeks of a cover-up reminiscent of Richard Nixon's firing of Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor in the Watergate scandal.  With near-certainty of impeachment and removal  Nixon resigned as president.  Will Trump suffer the same fate?  For the sake of America  and its democratic institutions, let it be soon.

UNPACKING ZUMA'S LIE

South Africa's top heavy Team South Africa was faced with a mission impossible at the recently concluded World Economic Forum on Africa. The delegation was tasked in persuading business leaders and investors that South Africa is still a viable investment destination.

Other than presumed apocryphal dribble from President Zuma that "Team South Africa came out on tops once again", there is no independent corroboration that this was the case.

What investor, even one flush with "mad money" would risk investing in South Africa, plagued by two downgrades to junk status with a probable third not far off - clearly a very stupid investor.  If one adds a deteriorating economy immersed in kleptocracy, ideological dysfunction and state capture, Team South Africa's sales pitch must have been synonymous with that of shady used car salesmen unsuccessfully trying to foist a lemon on a sophisticated customer.

Until the ANC government gets its political and economic house in order, Team South Africa's junkets to economic forums are a complete and indefensible waste of taxpayer money.

RAMAPHOSA V. DLAMINI-ZUMA: THE LOSER - SOUTH AFRICA

Cyril  Ramaphosa has tossed his hat into ring, and joins Dlamini- , the other leading candidate in a contest to replace Jacob Zuma as leader of the ANC. 

 Ramaphosa is a consummate politician - affable, intelligent, politically savvy and disarming.  When comparing him to his ANC elites Ramaphosa wins hands down. This, however, does not necessarily mean South Africa can correct its course under Rhamaphosa's  leadership.

There is another side to Ramaphosa that cannot be ignored, and which militates against giving him the keys to the kingdom.  

 For years Ramaphosa refused to dust off his moral compass.  His blind loyalty to the ANC collective was absolute. His silence following multiple instances of corruption and looting of state resources by ANC comrades was deafening. The fact that he did not speak out is indicative of symptoms of moral deficit disorder wrapped-up in a reservoir of political expediency and opportunism. 

In a perfect parliamentary system a ruling political party chooses its leader within a framework focusing on the long-term good of the country - this means a leader vested with statesmanship as opposed to being a political hack. As a prerequisite to statesmanship the qualities of integrity, responsibility accountability, conscience and character are essential. 

Such qualities do not, however, matter in the ANC's paradigm for replacing Zuma.  The dynamic is simply a power struggle between competing factions.  All that matters is factional self-interest between those who support Ramaphosa, and those opposing him. 

Ramaphosa, the well-connected billionaire politician does not need the trappings of the state to enrich himself. He has already acquired his riches from being a major beneficiary of gratuitous empowerment deals.  He is beholden to his party for his wealth, and until recently refused in the name of party loyalty, to distance himself from Zuma and his political chicanery.  Until he threw his hat into the  ring, he blindly supported and defended Zuma by dishing up rhetoric over reality, laced with side-stepping infuriating generalities.  His lack of political will and independence raises serious questions about his ability to govern effectively.  To add to the mix is a paradoxical tension between Ramaphosa's

intelligence and his judgment. Regrettably his intelligence does not alway equate with good judgment.  One merely has to recall his deafening silence in the wake of Nenegate by allowing political expediency to cloud his judgment.  To put it bluntly:  Ramaphosa is not his own man - he has been consumed by years of ANC relentless collectivism, supplemented by  a generous helping of self-interest and political need.  

 Ramaphosa is not the ideal choice to lead the country. But, then again nor is  Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, an imperious and incoherent politician, his chief rival.    Ramaphosa will be nominated by his faction at the next ANC elective conference, but his nomination will be nothing more than an historical footnote of a failed nomination that was.  Zuma and his cabal will see to it.  

What the country is left with is Dlamini-Zuma whose political past establishes that in her world political aspirations override the wellbeing of people.  This was evident at the AU where her performance as the AU's commission chair was far less than flattering - in fact for many it was high time say "good riddance".  According to one German media outlet she ignored crisis upon crisis from the Ebola epidemic that claimed many lives to civil wars, and the deaths of African migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.  Nearer to home, one cannot forget Dlamini- Zuma's role in the Sarafina scandal, her denialism with respect to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and promoting a quack remedy for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

After all is said and done Jacob Zuma  will most probably succeed in Dlamini-Zuma replacing him as leader of the party, and ultimately president.  South Africa will then have a two-in-one package with Jacob Zuma as the de facto president calling the shots. 

       

ANC'S NEW GOLDENBOY - CHRIS MALIKANE & HIS MARXIST DOGMA: A WITCHES' BREW FOR SOUTH AFRICA

Chris Malikane, advisor to Finance Minister Gigaba, was again peddling his version of fake economics - this time  when recently addressing the  Blacks in Dialogue event.

He reiterated his call for nationalisation of key sectors of the economy as a component to radical economic transformation, and if not implemented, by sounding an inflammatory call to arms.

Malikane wants radical economic transformation to "plunge [South Africa into crisis] and become like Venezuela, Zimbabwe", which in his make-believe world, have morphed into successful shining light representations of radical economic transformation.  In the real world, however, they are basket cases mired in deeply deteriorating political and economic crises.  What else would trigger angry and hungry mobs in Venezuela to ransack supermarkets, with Zimbabwe's crisis upon crisis not far behind?

Malikane will offer his proposals at a upcoming ANC policy conference.   Chances are Malikane's fake economics will resonate notwithstanding rational alternatives to creating jobs and addressing inequality.  If implemented, the country will likely find itself begging at the IMF's door.

It's time for Malikane to return to his ivory tower, and focus on economic theory that works in the real world.  Until then, he remains a loose cannon in a position to further exacerbate an economy currently on life support.

THE PURGING OF WHITENESS FROM RADICAL ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

The meaning of the phrase "radical economic transformation" by Jacob Zuma and his acolytes is the subject of much debate.  One commentator called it "just BEE on steroids", whereas Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago was at a loss to give meaning to the phrase when asked to define it at a recent public lecture.

To investors the phrase is cause for concern. This was evident when Finance Minister Gigaba recently met with foreign investors who insisted on clarification on what the ANC meant by the phrase.  Gigaba offered a mealy-mouthed explanation:  inclusive growth "to create jobs, to address poverty, to address  inequality".

The obvious question is whether investors bought Gigaba's explanation.  No, as investors in emerging markets, notwithstanding higher rates of return on investment, are still guided by due diligence.  They are aware of the ANC's increasing drumbeat of "white monopoly capital" that rides shotgun with calls for radical economic transformation.  They are aware of the ANC government's predilection to play the race card to evade the real issues for the country's economic crisis:  government incompetence, poor infrastructure, corruption, rampant unemployment, looting of state resources and rotten policies.

"White monopoly capital" is a convenient whipping boy for the ANC government to mislead the country that the WHITENESS of monopoly capital  is to blame for its failures.

Investor confidence in South Africa is a thing of the past.  Chances are confidence will be restored when the ruling party is a thing of the past.

AN IGNORANT FINANCE MINISTER-IN-TRAINING ON A MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba is in the US on a mission impossible to meet with investors and Moody's Investor Service. The odds of reassuring investors and the rating agency that South Africa will not be a repetition of Venezuela's economic collapse are stacked against him.

Gigaba faces an uphill struggle  in attempting to allay investor and rating agency concerns.  Concerns that focus on a moribund economy crippled by political intrigue, instability and looting of state resources, further exacerbated by a clueless finance minister-in-training.

Even Gigaba's self-absorbed dandy dresser exhibitionism will not bewitch or captivate his audience.  Rather, to paraphrase Tom Wolfe he will be seen as naked with little or no influence in attracting white monopoly capital, or a Moody downgrade.

ANC'S IRRATIONAL POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS: COGNITIVE DEFICIENCY - YES AND NO

A High Court recently ruled in favour of The Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom under Law's application to declare Berning Ntlemeza's appointment as head of the Hawks irrational and unlawful. It is one further example of an epidemic of irrational appointments by public officials.  Irrational decision-making infects every level of the ANC government - the crown jewel of irrationality being the firing Nene and Gordhan by Zuma.

It would be a simple matter to posit that the prevalence of irrationality within the ANC is due to cognitive deficiency.   This may be so, but the phenomenon has its genesis in the country's educational system that mindlessly regurgitates  useless information.  It is a system devoid of critical thinking , which if implemented, would transform mindlessness into well-reasoned rational decision-making.

In the absence of rational decision-making the judiciary must step into the breach and review arbitrary and irrational executive actions, failing which political patronage, cronyism and corrupt practices will continue to erode South Africa's constitutional fabric.

MALIKANE'S VOODOO ECONOMICS - A RECIPE FOR CHAOS

The prospect of a turn-around for South Africa's economy took another hit with the appointment of Professor Chris Malikane as economic advisor to Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba.

The learned professor has advocated radical economic transformation by "the expropriation of white monopoly capitalist establishments such as banks, insurance companies [and] mines", including expropriation of land without compensation.

South Africa's economic landscape has become a breeding ground for voodoo economics - a potpourri of unrealistic and ill-advised economic policies.  Malikane's voodooist proposal on economic transformation is a rehash of Hugo Chavez's socialist economic policies that catapulted Venezuela to the brink of complete economic collapse and political chaos.

The DA's MP David Maynier facetiously accused Malikane of being trained at the "Hugo Chavez School of Economics".  Not according to Malikane's profile.  But, their paths may have crossed as economic soul mates when Malikane received a Ph.D from the 129th ranked New School in New York.  According to U.S. News & World College Rankings  the best that can be said about the New School is small class size, and international student enrollments. A far cry from a ringing endorsement for academic excellence!

Chavez trashed Latin America's richest economy.  Expect the same for South Africa if Malikane's proposal is implemented.

I DARE YOU BALEKA MBETE

Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete filed her affidavit opposing the UDM's Constitutional Court application for a secret ballot in its motion of no confidence against President Zuma.

Mbete argues persuasively against the relief sought by the UDM.  The Court will likely rule In the Speaker's favour on separation of powers grounds.

The victory will be a cover-up for the real reason for her opposition -  ANC MP's voting in favour of the motion in a secret ballot.  A wrong assumption, according to Mbete, as ANC MP's are not  "weak-kneed, timid, cowardly, unprincipled and spineless. . ."

Madam Speaker it is not a wrong assumption, but an inexorable truth.  Care to rebut?  I don't think so!

MAINE & ZUMA: DUMB & DUMBER

The ANC Youth League President Collen Maine's verbal incontinence overflowed once again when addressing supporters outside Luthuli House last Friday.  In doing so, he welcomed South Africa's downgrade to junk status, believing that "when the economy rises again, it will be held by us".

Ordinarily one would ignore his pitiable diatribes as simply symptomatic of incurable mental midget disease.  Not so, because he, like his vacuous predecessors, former ANCYL presidents Malusi Gigaba and Fikile Mbulala, will in due course be inducted into Zuma's cabal of loyal cabinet lackeys.

Maine is very much like his idol Zuma.  They are both semi-literate, one-dimensional, empty-headed, but believing they know everything - essential ingredients in a long-life recipe for South Africa's junk status.

THE ANC'S DARTH VADER & THE DARK SIDE

Does it really matter whether Jacob Zuma steps down, or is replaced at the ANC's elective conference?  Either way Zuma will still be calling the shots because his successor will have his imprimatur.  Supported by Zuma's inner circle his successor will slavishly toe the line to ensure uninterrupted looting of state resources.

Barring the unforeseen Zuma's pick will succeed him, and the rot will continue. But, if the ANC has any interest in redemption it should start by grooming  the likes of Makhosi Khosa, an intelligent, thoughtful and courageous ANC MP.  Even though she has crossed swords with the party elite, her advancement within the party will redound to its benefit.

Zuma is the ANC's Darth Vader.  He views himself as the central figure in the ANC's universe.  Everything and everyone within the collective is useful only to fulfill his needs.  His lackeys, seduced by the spoils of corruption, are happy to support his presidency, even though they know they are cannon fodder when the chips are down.

Zuma will leave behind a calamitous legacy the impact of which will haunt South Africa for many years to come.

ZUMA'S IGNORANT INNER CiRCLE SPEWS A LOAD Of BS

South Africa's downgrade to junk status will result in extreme economic hardship  for it's people, especially the poor.

Members of Jacob Zuma's inner circle have however welcomed the downgrade.   The likes of Nomvula Mokinyane and Dudu Myeni were overjoyed, joining with Edward Zuma in celebrating the downgrade.

Mokinyane's remark was especially telling:  " it's actually better Western investors will pull back and we gave an opportunity to bring them back in (sic)
our own terms".  Clearly Mokinyane's comment rises to the level of atmospheric  ignorance of economics.

Instead of making a complete unpatriotic fool of herself, she should recognise her cerebral limitations are more in keeping with her water and sanitation portfolio by providing decent sanitation for the poor in the settlements.  Failing that she must be taken to task for spewing a load of BS.  

INSANITY, COWARDICE & CAPITULATION

Insanity, cowardice and capitulation readily describes the march of events of the past week. 

South Africa was launched into a crazy place with the firing of finance minister Pravin Gordhan by the country's irrepressible Teflon man, Jacob Zuma.  It was a repetition of the insane economic upheaval that gripped the country after Zuma fired Nene.  This time, however, Zuma has unleashed irreparable economic harm and political turmoil.  

The stakes are now much higher as South Africa had been downgraded to junk status.  Many hoped Zuma had finally met his Waterloo as a number of top party officials had called on him to step down.  In response Zuma successfully marshaled his lackeys, who came to his aid once again.  

As for the mutiny of the few, with cap in hand, they agreed to toe the line.  In doing so, their moral compasses were reset, never to navigate beyond cowardice and capitulation.  Be prepared for dark days ahead.   

RACKETEERING IN THE GUISE OF SALARY

So after all is said and done Collins Letsoalo, former acting CEO of Prasa  is not required to pay back his R5.9 salary plus benefits.  The fact that he walks away unscathed is one thing - what sticks in one's craw is the obscene compensation paid to the likes of Letsoalo and his ANC comrades in similar cushy government jobs.

If one applied what is called the Employee Value Proposition - a measurement of the balance between what Letsoalo received in return for his performance, he makes out like a bandit. The salary paid to him presupposes extraordinary educational background, and the highest level of progressive experience commensurate with the compensation for the position.  In the private sector in Letsoalo's  CV would be summarily trashed, but in the ANC government, wallowing in patronage, cronyism, fraud and corruption, Letsoalo's mediocrity is the same as brilliance.

SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW FINANCE MINISTER - A CLUELESS DANDY

South Africa woke up into a real nightmare last Friday, even though the purging of Pravin Gordhan and his deputy was expected. What was shocking was the recycling of Malusi Gigaba to finance minister.

When it comes to leading the treasury experience is what matters most.  Gigaba has zero experience to lead the treasury. The fact that he is not ready for prime time is inconsequential to Zuma.  Rather Gigaba satisfies Zuma's nefarious needs. Gigaba will give Zuma the key to the treasury's door.  He and his cabal will finally get off the starting blocks to plunder the rainbow nation's dwindling pot of gold.

Inasmuch as inquiring minds want to know what also tipped the scale for Zuma to appoint this nincompoop, a source offered the following:

Although Gigaba lacks an iota of intellectual ability and experience to head the treasury, Zuma, an ardent admirer of Gigaba, and in particular his penchant for expensive fashionable suits and accessories, is confident that the dandy's wardrobe does make and shield him from his naked ignorance.

One more reason for the country and history to remember Zuma because "the evil that men do lives after them. . . "

EBRAHIM & TRUMP NOT SO STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

Shannon Ebrahim, Group Foreign Editor of Independent Media, is no shrinking violet. (op-ed Cape Times 3/28/17).  Her writings portray her as uncompromising and dogmatic - it is her way or the highway.  

The US has yet to appoint its ambassador to South Africa, and Ebrahim is at wits' end because the word in Washington is that South African born Joel Pollack, editor-at-large for Breitbart News, Trump's go-to extreme right wing news source, is on the shortlist for ambassador to South Africa.  Ebrahim is of the view that Pollack's appointment as ambassador will be a disaster for South Africa. 

It is widely expected US foreign policy under the Trump administration will undergo radical change, driven by Trump's 'America First Foreign Policy' paradigm. 

Ebrahim has been supportive of the ANC government's anti-US sentiment, which makes it easy for the Trump administration to posit that South Africa is no friend of the US, and more so,  because of South Africa's close alignment with China, evidenced, in part, by its support for Beijing's territorial dispute in the South China Sea, as well as on sensitive issues such as the Dalai Lama.  The same can be said for South Africa's cozy political and economic relationship with Russia.  

By all accounts South Africa has made its decision regarding its place in the global hierarchy.  It is no longer a cheerleader for the west, but rather ensconced in China's and Russia's geopolitical corner and spheres of influence.  

From Ebrahim's perspective Pollack's appointment will not be in South Africa's interests.  From Trump's perspective if the appointment furthers US interests through his 'America First Foreign Policy', so be it, and consequences be damned. 

Ebrahim may not relish the prospect of being compared to Trump, but obvious similarities do exist:  both are uncompromising, dogmatic, hubristic and believers in the ultimatum "take it or leave it".  

Shakespeare must have had both of them in mind when he observed that "misery acquaints a man [or a woman] with strange bedfellows".  

"THE FOOL DOTH THINK HE IS WISE. . . "

There was a time when Nathi Nhleko, Police Minister was utterly powerless.  Armed with only secondary school education, fortune smiled upon Nhleko.  Whether it was luck, or reward for being an ANC loyalist extraordinaire, Nhleko left the ranks of the powerless to become Minister of Police, a position of power, influence and authority.

Nhleko must have missed orientation prior to taking up his ministerial position in the corner office.  Had he done so, he would have learnt of the truism that when people are given power they basically start acting like fools.

There are ample examples of Nhleko's dumbfounding stupidity.  The one that immediately comes to mind was the ridicule and derision that followed his asinine report on Nklandla.

People in power are prone to repetitively act like fools. Nhleko is no exception, and recently did so again in refusing to accept an en banc high court judgment affirming earlier court decisions finding Berning Ntlemeza unfit when he appointed him head of the Hawks.

Nhleko being the fool he is has rushed in and filed a frivolous appeal to delay Ntlemeza's removal.  His abuse of power and process is enough to make angels weep.

DLAMINI'S SELF-INFLICTED WATERLOO

Minister Bathabile Dlamini expressed shock at the prospect of personally having to pay the costs of the social grants litigation.  She believes she played no part in the social grant debacle, and insists on blaming her officials for the crisis.

Dlamini defiance is a classic example of  denialist behaviour - a defence mechanism triggered to avoid a mentally disturbing truth even though established by irrefutable empirical evidence.

Dlamini's response to the court's order to show cause will be filled with denialist obfuscatory rhetoric.  Her response will allay any doubt to order Dlamini to personally pay the costs of litigation.

No amount of castigation or excoriation by the court can rehabilitate Dlamini.  She will, however, be saddled with a huge pecuniary outlay from a punitive cost order as punishment for her especially harmful, outrageous and unforgivable behaviour.  A warranted lesson for the emotional distress she wrought on the poor, and a lesson for her comrades in government to seriously heed.

LET US NOT FORGIVE

A photograph appeared on the front page  of The Times ( 16/3/17) depicting ANC  spokesman Zizi Kodwa and Sassa CEO Thokozani Magawaza outside the Constitutional Court shaking hands and laughingly embracing each other.   The two were at court for Back Sash's application on payment of social grants by Sassa.

It is hard to imagine a more unbecoming display of jocularity in light of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng's tongue lashing into Sassa, Minister Dlamini and her department.  It leads to one immutable conclusion:  a complete lack of concern about what is happening around them.   In other words, blind to the catastrophic consequences that will follow if grants are not timely paid to the poor.

Kodwa and Magawaza's display, although disgustingly offensive was not surprising, as it is symptomatic of a callous government they represent.   Should one then, to quote Luke 23:34 "Forgive them for they know not what they do?"  No, because they know what they do.

DREAM ON CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

One can superficially understand Melanie Verwoerd's optimistic assessment of South Africa's future under a Cyril Ramaphosa administration.  Verwoerd is clearly enamored with Ramaphosa's "charming, disarming [and] conciliatory" qualities - not a difficult observation when compared to his deadbeat comrades.  It is true when one digs into the ANC apple barrel of elites Ramaphosa is not one of the rotten apples.  This, however, does not necessarily mean, as Verwoerd believes, South Africa can correct its course under Rhamaphosa's  leadership.

There is another side to Ramaphosa that cannot be ignored, and which militates against giving him the keys to the kingdom.  

 For years  Ramaphosa refused to dust off  his moral compass.  His blind loyalty to the ANC collective was absolute. His silence following multiple instances of corruption and looting of state resources by ANC comrades was deafening. The fact that he did not speak out indicates symptoms of moral deficit disorder wrapped in a reservoir of political expediency and opportunism. 

In a perfect parliamentary system a ruling political party chooses its leader within a framework requiring focus on the long-term good of the country - this means a leader vested with statesmanship as opposed to being just a politician. As a prerequisite to statesmanship the qualities of integrity, responsibility accountability, conscience and character are essential. 

The enunciated qualities do not, however, matter in the ANC's paradigm for replacing Zuma in 2019.  The dynamic is simply a power struggle between competing factions.  All that matters is factional self-interest between those who support Ramaphosa, and those opposing him. 

Ramaphosa, the well-connected billionaire politician does not need the trappings of the state to enrich himself. He has already acquired his riches by being a major beneficiary of gratuitous empowerment deals. He is beholden to his party for his wealth, and refuses, in the name of party loyalty, to distance himself from Zuma and his political chicanery.  Instead he blindly supports and defends Zuma by dishing up rhetoric over reality, laced with side-stepping infuriating generalities.  His lack of political will and independence raises serious questions about his ability to govern effectively.  

To add to the mix there is paradoxical tension between Ramaphosa's intelligence and his judgment. Regrettably his intelligence does not always equate with good judgment.  One merely has to recall his deafening silence in the wake of Nenegate by allowing political expediency to cloud his judgment.  To put it bluntly:  Ramaphosa is not his own man - he has been consumed by years of ANC relentless collectivism, supplemented by  a generous helping of self-interest and political need.  

 Ramaphosa is not the ideal choice to lead the country. But, then again with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as his leading opponent, Ramaphosa is clearly the prudent choice.  Ramaphosa will be nominated by his faction at the next ANC elective conference, but his nomination will be nothing more than an historical footnote of a failed nomination that was.  Zuma and his cabal will see to it.  

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Note to Melanie Verwoerd:  My apologies for raining on your parade.

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SOUTH AFRICA'S PARLIAMENT - A DUMPING GROUND

A dumping ground is described as a place where unwanted people or things are sent.  So it is with South Africa's premier dumping ground, parliament, where previously employed disgraced party hacks have and will be deployed to willingly do the bidding of Luthuli House.

In the real world disgraced party hacks are deemed unfit to hold public office.  Not so with the ANC government.  When incompetence, corruption, or self-enrichment are exposed, party hacks are elevated to other positions, or if conduct is egregious enough, temporary relegation to parliament.

Recently it was the disgraced teary-eyed, Brian Molefe, temporarily assigned to parliament, now biding his time for a likely cabinet appointment.  He will likely be joined by Hlaudi Motsoeneng if the ANC Youth League in the Free State has its way.  He will likewise bide his time for a likely cabinet appointment as Minister of Communications responsible for overseeing the SABC.

Motsoeneng will have the last laugh, and will happily invite his political enemies to a banquet for a main course of tough old crow in the cabinet's dining room.

THE AMAZINGLY IGNORANT DES VAN ROOYEN

The inimitable Des Van Rooyen, erstwhile 'flash in the pan' finance minister never   ceases to amaze one.  At a recent MKMVA media briefing, van Rooyen, its  Treasurer General came to the aid of his embattled comrade Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini.

ANC alliance partners, opposition parties and others, have called on Dlamini to step down for gross incompetence and  negligence in bringing the country's poor to the brink of starvation by playing games with their social grants.

van Rooyen, an ANC loyalist par excellence, pleaded for a timeout to afford Dlamini "and her capable department time to deal with this matter".  A contemptibly ignorant plea that flies in the face of Dlamini's illimitable dereliction of duties, including departmental oversight.  Not surprising, because to paraphrase Benjamin Franklin we are all born ignorant, but van Rooyen has worked harder to remain ignorant.

BATHABILE DLAMINI: THE MORON IN OXYMORON

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini is the latest in a long line of grossly incompetent and corrupt ANC government ministers who regard the poor as pawns in a game of chess.  She has bought the country's poor to the brink of starvation by playing games with their social grants.  

The term 'social development' and the person 'Bathabile Dlamini' when juxtaposed gives new meaning to the figure of speech 'oxymoron'.  Better yet, in deleting the letters 'oxy' from the figure of speech, what remains is an apt characterisation of Dlamini.

There have been increasing calls for Dlamini to step down.  Zuma will not fire her as she is meeting his needs in campaigning for his ex-wife to be South Africa's next president.  As usual self-interest above everything else. 

AN OPEN LETTER TO HOWARD FELDMAN

Dear Mr. Feldman:

 I read your piece on the women's march, and take issue with respect to your comments on Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.

Let me be upfront by stating  that Clinton's actions were not only inexcusable, but also unforgivable.

However, painting Lewinsky as the equivalent of a virtuous vestal virgin deflowered by Clinton against her will is fantasy.

Lewinsky was a victim, but not an innocent victim. She was obsessed with Clinton, and set about implementing an agenda to cement a lasting relationship, without regard to the pain and suffering that would surely impact upon Clinton's immediate family.

 It would not be an easy task for Lewinsky to accomplish her goal. But she had a plan.  Lewinsky graduated with an undergraduate degree. Her degree entitled her to apply for the White House Graduate Internship Program. The program offered  academically accomplished graduates internships. Lewinsky was by no means academically accomplished, and would have been summarily rejected.  However, with the help of connections she found her way to the White House.

Interns at the White House are not permitted to enter the West Wing where the Oval Office is situated.  The art of manipulation was no stranger to Lewinsky, and over time she was free to wonder the corridors of the West Wing. The rest is history.

Lewinsky was no shrinking violet - she was obsessed with Clinton. To suggest she was manipulated solely by Clinton is not the case.  Lewinsky was a willing, determined and ardent participant - she did not require any coaxing from Clinton.

Mr. Feldman, you ignored the cardinal rule taught in Journalism 101:  dig up the facts as most of the time there are two sides to a story.  There are clearly two sides to this story.

COLLINS LETSOALO - ARROGANCE GOETH BEFORE THE FALL

Collins Letsoalo's reaction to his sacking as acting CEO by Prasa's board can only be described as one of irrational defiance.   He unjustifiably refused to leave contending he still is the acting CEO of Prasa.  The fact that he never was an employee of Prasa, but simply seconded to the agency from the transport department was immaterial to Letsoalo.

Letsoalo's defiance followed a pattern employed by ANC comrades who after being suspended or terminated from public sector jobs resort to the "the best defense is a good offense" paradigm.  A paradigm that Hlaudi Motsoeneng successfully followed, aided and abetted by the SABC board and Minister Faith Muthambi.  Not so for Letsoalo, who despite his bluster, has been locked out, and on his way back to his employer, the Transport Department, with his tail between his legs.  There he is expected to face disciplinary proceedings.

Prasa's board is to be commended for taking swift and decisive action in removing Letsoalo.  A rare event which can only bode well in the context of good public sector governance.

Kudos to the Sunday Times for its investigative reporting.

THE NEW RESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE - NOT ONLY CRAZY BUT AN ANTI-SEMITE AS WELL: G-D HELP US

"I am the least anti-Semitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life".  A disturbing response from President Trump to a question at a recent press conference from Jake Turx, a journalist from the ultra-orthodox Jewish publication Ami Magazine.  A disquieting response indeed, because Turx's question wasn't about the president, but rather what was being done about "an uptick in anti-Semitism [in the US] and how the government is planning to take care of it".

It was a deeply alarming moment when Trump chose to respond:  I am the least anti-Semitic person . . . "  If Trump had said:  "I am not an anti-Semite", it would not have raised a red flag.  Instead he couched his statement by using the word "least"; which simply means he is a anti-Semite, but on the lower rung of the anti-Semitic scale.  To put it differently, Trump is a little prejudiced and hostile to Jews, but nevertheless an anti-Semite.  His emphasis on "little" is akin to the fallacy of being a "little bit" pregnant.

Trump's obfuscation is consistent with the permissive populist-ridden anti-Semitic sentiment evident in his campaign.  In the last days prior to the election, the Trump campaign published an ad using standard anti-Semitic themes - readily identifiable Jewish figures, and established anti-Semitic vocabulary - money, power and "global special interests".  It was an ad intended to appeal to anti-Semites and spread anti-Semitic ideas.  It was intentional, and no accident inasmuch as Trump's campaign manager , Steve Bannon, orchestrated it -  a die-hard anti-Semite, and currently Trump's top advisor in the White House.

There are those who would argue that Trump is blind to anti-Semitism inasmuch as his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is a Jew, and his wife Ivanka, Trump's daughter,  converted to Judaism.  Unpersuasive at best, as Kushner appears to lack an inner sense of what is right or wrong, and in the eyes of anti-Semites distinguishable between good Jews and bad Jews.

When the issue of anti-Semitism was raised by journalists at Trump's press conference, Trump was clearly uncomfortable with their questions. He had the opportunity to put matters right in his message on Holocaust Remembrance Day, but failed to do so, even failing to mention Jewish victims.  Many believe it was premeditated.

There are those who would argue that Trump is a friend of Israel.  During the campaign he sided with Israel on the expansion of West Bank settlements, and relocating the US Embassy to Jerusalem. He has since back tracked on both, as well as declaring that the US will no longer insist in the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a peace accord with Israel.

This raises a key question:  can Israel trust Trump whose positions on fundamental US-Israeli relations have swung so wildly in a few weeks?  Can Israel feel secure with someone  who shoots and tweets from the hip spreading chaos, confusion and craziness?  Israel must not be swayed by a impetuous and psychopathic untested president who has no knowledge of the region, and a history of breaking campaign promises.  Israel must step back before jumping into bed with Trump, because he could turn out to be Israel's worst nightmare.

According to Trump's biographer, Michael D'Antonio,  Trump is the "emperor of chaos".   He should have added that Trump lives in another dimension trapped in a labyrinth of lies where he routinely distorts the truth with lie upon lie. As Lawrence Downs of the New York Times points out: "The truth is harder to see in the flickering gaslight of Mr. Trump's America".

Surely it is time to ask G-d to help America and the rest of us.

TO ZUMA & HIS MINIONS: ITS TIME TO STOP BEING ASSHOLES

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan  used the word "transformation" multiple times in his recent budget speech.

Gordhan's message was unequivocally blunt:  economic growth is inextricably linked to transformation.  The one cannot exist without the other inasmuch as "We need to grow in order to transform.  Without transformation, growth will reinforce inequality; without growth , transformation will be distorted by patronage."

Therein lies the rub - growth and transformation are mutually exclusive concepts in Zuma's government given the presence of rampant corruption, patronage, nepotism, wasteful and irregular expenditure, to mention a few.

Gordhan was sending a warning to government, but whether it was understood is debatable.  For those who did not, let me spell out in simplistic terms what Gordhan meant:  economic growth is the catalyst for transformation, but only if you stop the plunder and looting of public assets and resources.

BRIAN MOLEFE AND THE KEYS TO THE TREASURY

Whether it is Luthuli House, or Jacob Zuma and his cabal calling the shots, it makes no difference: Pravin Gordhan will be given his marching orders. 

It will simply be a matter of time to make way for disgraced Brian Molefe to take over the reins as finance minister, and a likely precursor to organized looting of South Africa's ultimate state asset: the Treasury.  Like wolves circling a sheep pen, the state capture lobby is dripping with anticipation at the  prospect  of Molefe, a Zupta toady, being handed the keys to the fiscus. 

The legendary radio broadcaster Edward R. Murrow once remarked that "a nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves."   Murrow must have had South Africa in mind. 

PLAYER & TRUMP: TWO RACIST PEAS IN A POD

Gary Player suffers from "good old days" syndrome - a nostalgic fondness and longing for the days of apartheid when the likes of Verwoerd, Vorster and PW Botha ruled the country with an iron fist.

Player recently commented on the chaos that erupted in parliament prior to the SONA address. He blamed the chaos in parliament on the absence of "law and order in South Africa".

In contrast, Player was singularly  impressed with his golfing buddy, Donald Trump, America's new president, who to Player's delight is cracking the whip . . "to bring back the disciplines America used to have".

Trump's character traits  - his penchant for authoritarianism and racism, appeals to Player.   His affaire de coeur with the apartheid regime . . . "to maintain civilised values and standards amongst the alien barbarians . . . The African", underscores his commitment to being "of the South Africa of Verwoerd and apartheid".  

It behooves Player to accept that the "good old days", notwithstanding Trump's election, will never return.  Instead, now  in his twilight years, he should be thinking in terms of absolution for his immoral love affair with the apartheid regime.

DENTONS' REPORT ON ESKOM A ROADMAP TO NOWHERE

Ever wondered why privatization of state owned enterprises (SOE's) is considered the equivalent of contracting a horrible and incurable disease amongst the party elite of the ANC government?  The answer is simple:  SOE's are self-enrichment vehicles for the politically well-connected, their families and friends.

The Financial Mail recently published damning details from Denton's investigative report on Eskom and the prevalence of serious financial abuses within the state-owned entity.  By way of example, Eskom paid R13.4m for R4.2m worth of coal.  Who allegedly pocketed the difference? According to the report:  Eskom executives, their families and friends.

Other than one organisation calling for a commission of inquiry the fallout thus far has been somewhat muted. Therein lies the problem:  the electorate is so conditioned to government malfeasance that right from wrong has been relegated to the apathetical dustbin.

The Dentons report is a roadmap to prosecuting and convicting those responsible for looting Eskom. But, Eskom and other SOE's will remain a prime source for ill-gotten gains  by corrupt individuals.  It will remain so as SOE's are sacred cows who enjoy de facto exemption from criminal investigation.  How else can these leeches maintain their high on the hog lifestyles?

MEDICAL SCHEMES "A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY": REALLY?

Dr. Kgosi Letlape, president of the Health Professions Council, is no stranger to controversy.  Several years ago he labeled the Medical Schemes Act evil as it divided the nation into have's and have-nots.  Now, he has again climbed onto his anti-medical scheme soapbox, but this time labeling medical schemes as "a crime against humanity".

Letlape has his reasons for denigrating medical schemes, but to recklessly assert that medical schemes are the embodiment of a crime against humanity is the product of a staggering level of ignorance.

Letlape supports eliminating medical schemes in favour of universal healthcare - the two cannot co-exist.  But, simply wanting the government to adopt and enforce his say-so ideas is typical of the kind of man whose ideas are idiotic.

EDWARD ZUMA AN EVEN POORER EXTENSION OF HIS FATHER

Edward Zuma recently issued a statement claiming  that there were "greedy people [who] don't give a damn about the livelihoods of the people of this country whatsoever".

At first glance it seemed that Zuma Jr. had experienced an epiphany by accusing Jacob Zuma, his father, as one of the "brutal and greedy" leaders who "don't have the interests of the people [at heart]".  It was too good to be true  - his diatribe was, in fact, directed at Pravin, Jonas and De Klerk.

If it was Zuma Jr.'s intent to intimidate the "the Pravin camp" he could not have been more wrong.   Other than the son of Jacob Zuma, his relevance in the context of South Africa's realpolitik is zero. He is nothing more than a pretentious windbag not to be taken seriously.

Zuma Jr. was simply the attack dog selected to spew flame throwing rhetoric against his father's critics.  Rhetoric that Zuma and his faction were too cowardly to express openly.

JACOB ZUMA : PATIENT AS JOB

Jacob Zuma has the patience of Job. Other than patience the two men are incompatibly immiscible as oil and water.

Time and again we have seen Zuma with his back to the wall.  With enduring patience, underscored with chicanery and deception, he has dodged bullet after bullet, ever mindful of end goals to invariably come out on top.

Now, according to a Sunday Times report, Zuma's patient maneuvering will again be rewarded with disgraced Brian Molefe on his way to taking a seat in parliament.  It will be the first step In Zuma's scheme to fire his nemesis Pravin Gordhan , and replace him with Molefe as finance minister.

If Zuma's maneuvering comes to fruition, the nation's finances will be controlled by him, aided and abetted by the infamous Ajay and Atul Gupta.  Molefe, in concert with his puppet-masters, will happily oblige.

A WARNING TO MANTASHE & HIS LUTHULI HOUSE CRONIES

Donald Trump, America's 45th president, is seemingly on a warpath to eliminate trade agreements with the rest of the world.  Within a few days of his inauguration he withdrew the US from the Trans-Pacific trade partnership with Asia, and signed an Executive Order to renegotiate the NAFTA treaty between the US, Canada and Mexico.

Trump believes that existing trade deals have destroyed America's manufacturing base and contributed to the loss of American jobs.  In his words:  "It's going to be America first" inasmuch as charity begins at home and not abroad.

US foreign aid in its various forms is anathema to Trump, particularly when such aid has no nexus to America's national interest.  This is true with respect to the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), allowing South Africa duty-free access for  a variety of its products to the US  market.  Agoa generates billions for the economy and thousands of jobs.

Whether Agoa will be added to the list of eliminated trade deals is too early to tell.  It is not, as yet, on Trump's radar, but will be a priority if Gwede Mantashe and others in Luthuli House persist in disparaging the US.  Trump is by nature vindictive - he will not tolerate such ignorant and stereotypical US bashing.  The end result:  South Africa's economy will pay a hefty price if Agoa benefits are withdrawn.

CYRIL, WHY THE LONG SILENCE?

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has finally dusted off his moral compass.  For  years it had been collecting dust in the bowels of Luthuli House.

At a recent rally in Mthatha Ramaphosa accused ANC leaders of greed "fighting not over politics but over resources and money for our personal benefit".

At long last Ramaphosa has taken the first step in speaking his mind.  Until recently his blind loyalty to the ANC collective was absolute.   His silence following multiple instances of corruption and looting of state resources by ANC comrades was deafening.  The fact that he did not speak out leads conclusively to symptoms of moral deficit disorder wrapped in a reservoir of political expediency and opportunism.

Ramaphosa is a poor choice to lead the country.  But, then again the other contenders for the presidency are even more morally questionable. They, including Ramaphosa, lack the vision, or the qualities of leadership  to inspire the country to unite as a nation.

RULING PARTY MANIFESTO - LICENSE TO LOOT

After the ANC government assumed power it routinely compared and  contrasted its socio-economic policies with those of the apartheid regime.  In simple terms a contrast between perceived good and evil.  But, the dichotomy between good and evil was of no interest to the power hungry, be they of the apartheid regime, or the ANC government.

The  apartheid regime's proclivity to engage in thievery and looting of state resources relentlessly continued to thrive among the power hungry of the ANC's ruling elite, whose rapacious appetite for ill-gotten gains continues to this day.

Now, not surprisingly another bombshell of alleged malfeasance - allegations of fraud leveled against Hlaudi Motsoeneng and Sports  Minister Fikile Mbalula's wife Nozuko.  They are accused in a High Court proceeding of receiving millions of Rand from the Free State government for houses for the poor which were never built.

The allegations against Motsoeneng and Mbalula's wife reinforces the belief that the ANC  has lost the right to claim the moral high ground when compared and contrasted with the record of corruption and looting of its predecessor.  The reason is obvious:  by comparison the apartheid regime's power hungry were rank amateurs.

SOUR GRAPES

Russell Domingo is a very unhappy and overly sensitive man.  The two do not mix well in the "dog eats dog" competitive world of cricket. 

Domingo's contemptuous reproachful reaction to Rilee Rossouw's decision to take up a Kolpak contract with English county side Hampshire was unusual for a man characterised with calm demeanor.  He was less upset with Kyle Abbot's decision for doing likewise, but nevertheless felt betrayed by the dishonesty of both Abbot and Rossouw. 

We have heard from Domingo.  A rebuttal to Domingo's version can be expected from either Abbot or Rossouw, or both.   Until then the jury is out.

But, clearly there are systemic problems that must be addressed by Cricket South Africa, and legitimate reasons for talented players opting to play overseas.  As Faf Du Plessis rightly points out the move abroad is a "red flag".  

It is simply not, according to Domingo,  about players turning their backs on their country.  It is certainly much more than taking childish and daffy umbrage to Rossouw spelling Russell in an email with one L instead of two. 

PUPIL PROGRESSION & OBFUSCATION GO HAND IN HAND

Mathanzima Mweli's op-ed (Why 'progressing' failures works - 10/01/17)  to justify Basic Education's progression policy must be viewed with the skepticism it deserves.

The matric pass rate of progressed pupils, on its face, is impressive, but not believable.  It must be viewed in the context of a rigged system where all is possible, including distinctions in Mathematics, Physical Science and Accounting.

Consider the following scenario:  Grade 11 pupils severely lacking in the fundamentals of education  - the three R's, miraculously experienced a light bulb moment transforming their chronic inadequacies into brilliance.  Give me a break!

A progression policy does little but serve the interests of the Education Department.  What the department should be focusing on is intervention in the early primary grades.  Until then their grand obfuscation will continue unabated.

ITS THAT TIME AGAIN - BRING OUT THE ROSE-COLOURED GLASSES

Rose-coloured glasses are in fashion once again and predictably on the faces of our Basic Education Minister Angie Motshegka and her minions.  The theme for the 2016 matric results is joyous celebration for an increase over the success rate of 2015, notwithstanding an increase of a measly two percentage points.  But, nevertheless cause for misguided back-slapping, and of course drinks all round at the expense of the taxpayer. 

What the bureaucrats conveniently  ignore is the plain and simple truth that passing matric in South Africa is a cake walk, essentially meaningless  in the real world.   Consider the fact that standards are deplorably low with marks graded on an upward curve.  The upgrading benefits both the weakest and the brightest learners.  For the weakest, a matric pass unaccompanied by the pain of learning.  For the brightest, multiple distinctions.  But for the rigging of the system those with distinctions would be relegated to average achievement.  

If those in Basic Education were serious in the pursuit of educational excellence their focus should be on learner performance at university.   The drop-out rate is staggering because of a lack of cognitive and analytical skills.  The tools of outdated rote learning techniques inculcated in school learners is useless in critical and logical thinking required at the university level.  

Surely the matric results, deplorable as they are, should shame overpaid and under-performing bureaucrats to return to the drawing board, and focus on early childhood and elementary school education.  Not likely as they live in a one-dimensional world. 

MR. EDITOR - WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE KIDDING?

LETTER TO THE CAPE ARGUS EDITOR 

Your editorial (The year we will come of age) in the Weekend Argus (31/12/16) calls for a response.

You must be living in a parallel universe if you believe that South Africa has not descended "into the mediocrity and venality that has characterised so many other countries".  If anything,  South Africa is a role model for corruption, cronyism and looting of state resources.   In contrast, other countries seemingly enjoy at least a semblance of good governance.

A 2017 New Year's resolution would be appropriate for your newspaper:  editorialise based on fact, not fiction.