Democracy Now (?)

'Liberal' capitalism or crony capitalism?Liberal (or neoliberal) capitalism, proposed and imposed without alternative solutions, is based on seven principles, which are considered to be valuable for all societies of the globalised world.

*The economy must be managed by private companies as they alone conduct themselves naturally as agents operating under the demands of open competition. This is in fact beneficial to society and ensures economic growth based upon the rational allocation of resources and the fair remuneration of all elements of production - capital, labour and natural resources. Consequently, if as an unfortunate legacy of 'socialism' any assets such as productive enterprises, financial institutions, urban or agricultural land are owned by the state, they must be privatised.

We'll drift through this | Mahala

We'll drift through this | Mahala:



'via Blog this'

Soweto Surfing: the Subaltern Speaks | Think Africa Press

Soweto Surfing: the Subaltern Speaks | Think Africa Press
Emboldened by drugs and alcohol, spurred on by the promise of notoriety amongst the youth of the Soweto ghetto, and invigorated by the death-defying thrill of it, a group of young South Africans are infamous for surfing the 9373 train to Johannesburg.

Check out this article about 'Train Surfing' in Soweto, based of a documentary by Journey Man Pictures. These young men, who lack employment and come from broken homes and troubled backgrounds, literally ride and do tricks on top of moving trains the way skateboarders do on the streets...

Jacob Zuma vs Fish n Chips

What does it say about freedom of speech and expression when a state broadcaster bans an advert because it offends the President's delicate sensibilities? What does it say that this is happening in supposedly the most advanced democracy and market economy on the continent? Why is Jacob Zuma's head so pointy? These are all important philosophical questions raised by an advert parodying President Zuma's decision to build a multi-million dollar compound for him and his wives (read about it here). Why is he so mad?! The ad, made by South African based cartoonists and comic book creators IziKhoho is far from controversial and far from their best work but that still did not stop the SABC banning it. It also speaks to the independence of the state broadcaster from the office of the presidency. In protecting the feelings of the premier, do they not lose their credibility?

This all comes after the 'Spear' controversy when a painting of the president with his genitals exposed caused outcry in the country and was subsequently defiled by some vigilantes I guess protecting the mans' 'honour'. Criticisms about the colonial gaze and black male sexuality followed...(the presidents penis)

Much more offensive in my opinion was the similarity of the painting to one of Lenin, as if Zuma's record on human rights and democracy was somehow akin to that of the deceased dictator. Say what you want about Zuma, but he is democratically elected. He's clearly just too damn sensitive!! I think a 70 something year old man is doing rather well if people still conceive of him as a sexual being, and furthermore, if you have a mansion / compound that is worth well into the millions, you should at least have a sense of humour when people tease you about it! 

South Africa's state broadcaster refused to air an advert for a fish and chips firm depicting President Jacob Zuma feeding his family on a budget meal, the company and its agent said Tuesday. "You won't get to watch the new television advert... for The Fish and Chip Co. on SABC because they have banned it,"...  (via AFP)

Silence in the Sahel...

A tragedy is happening in Mali. Half a million displaced, ancient Sufi shrines destroyed and a ban on secular music being performed. What's causing this is al-Qaeda's attempt to impose sharia law in the north of the country. This is a new dimension to an old conflict.... It began around 50 years ago with the Mali's independence from French colonial administration. The new country was a combination of the Songhai, Ghana and Malian empires, and as a result, multitudes of different cultures. As with most post-colonial states, some groups couldn't accept nationhood under multiculturalism. 'The Tuaregs - a nomadic people located in over 10 African countries by way of the Sahara - were one of the dubious lot, and started a (hitherto now) unsuccessful bid for independence.

Buoyed by weapons Libyan weapons and a convenient coup southern Mali, their group 'Liberation of Azawad' or the 'NMLA'  took advantage of the chaos and declared independence of the North. Whilst regional and global actors continue to condemn this, no intervention has taken place - a weakened Mali government can't do it, and Ecowas has so far failed to get UN funding or permission to go in. Disastrously, in the midst of the confusion, Islamic fundamentalists have taken large swathes of the north. They immediately banned secular music and busied themselves destroying ancient heritage sites. Here is a video of Redi Tlhabi of Al Jazeera talking with some musicians about their experiences...

Why is fundamentalism taking such a grip on northern Africa now?! An incredible sounding 'Festival in the Desert' in Mali has had to be cancelled, meaning the artists will now have to perform in exile (festival-au-desert). The human rights abuses occurring are of course an abhorrent reality of all such conflicts, but the added tragedy is the destruction of culture and history. With heritage treasure-troves like Timbuktu, Mali is on of the 'Griot Nations' of the continent. Attacks on its traditional practices and arts are as such attacks on the collective African identity...

The Bones (a.k.a Mathambo) Have Spoek-en

Spoek Mathambo is what happens when you mix electronica, house music, kwaito, metal and an 80's style hip hop rhyme scheme. This young south african artist-producer, an 'Afro-Futurist' (check out his website) as he describes himself, makes ill beats that will leave you skanking and headbanging, and generally looking cool around your friends, who will be impressed that you know about such an underground yet sickening artist. His latest album 'Father Creeper' even got a 4 out of 5 star review in the very particular Guardian (here it is!) so you know hes doing something right! Spoek to me represents a trend of post-Apartheid artists producing work that is well rooted in the South African political experience, but still somehow manages to be Pan-African in a sense and reflect the influence of Globalization. Check out this TEDxSoweto talk of Spoek explaining his creative process. Not only is he a G musically, but the brother can hold a room!