The South African, Issue 544, 10 December 2013

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10 - 16 December 2013

Issue 544

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HAMBA KAHLE, TATA MADIBA

| South Africa mourns its ‘greatest son’ as it prepares to host the largest funeral in

history. More than 91 heads of state have so far confirmed attendance at a funeral that is expected to surpass that of Pope John Paul II in numbers

BY BRETT PETZER SOUTH Africans have spent the past few days united in grief as the most tangible physical link with the dreams and hopes of 1994 has passed away after a lifetime of service. But those who mourn the milestone that our young country has reached can easily forget that Madiba is claimed as a moral exemplar by much of the world.

The imminent arrival this week of what may be the largest gathering of heads of state past and present outside of the UN is a sobering reminder that Nelson Mandela’s life and work are of personal importance to many people for many reasons. The leaders of dispossessed peoples will rub shoulders with four US presidents, Cosatu and European royalty this week at what might well be the most-watched television event in this country since the 2010 World Cup final.

In all of this, the pressure will be on Pretoria, and particularly on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) to ensure that the coming together of most of the political heft on the planet in one place at one time - along with some of the most powerful and celebrated people in media, sports and the arts remains at all costs a funeral. That is to say, somewhere between the security detachments, the cameras and the politics of our upcoming

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| THIS ONE’S FOR YOU: Seldom has the world agreed so much on one thing: there is something of value in Madiba’s life for every individual and every country

election, South Africans demand and deserve a ceremony that is as dignified and personal as Madiba’s manner, whether meeting township dwellers or the Queen.

Today, 10 December, 80 000 people are expected at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium for Madiba’s official Memorial

Service, while the state funeral on Sunday is to be a smaller affair at Mandela’s homestead in Qunu in the rural Eastern Cape. As Dirco spokesman Clayson Monyela confirmed, “We’re trying to keep [the state funeral] to the family”.

The Memorial is expected to be a unique logistical and

security challenge as the threat of disruption equals the star power of the attendees. From the United States, President Barack Obama will be joined by former presidents Carter, GW Bush and Clinton and their wives, as well as 26 members of Congress. Leaders from the rest of the world brings the total to 70 sitting heads of state. Another unique feature of the Memorial will be that Madiba’s dual status as a Jeffersonian proponent of liberal democracy (in the West) and a triumphant radical revolutionary (in Cuba, Venezuela and the former Soviet sphere) should see world leaders who seldom share a stage seated beside each other in Johannesburg. This is a testament to Madiba’s complexity as a political actor: his ability to mirror the often conflicting hopes of groups such as right-wing Afrikaners and militant black nationalists absolutely crucial to bringing about South Africa’s peaceful transition to democracy.

The leader of the Palestinian Authority, Madmoud Abbas, will - courtesy of Madiba’s legacy - sit in the same stadium as the American presidents who have for so long exerted a great influence on the future of Palestine. Obama and company will also contend with the presence of Raúl Castro, brother of the ailing Fidel whom it has been offical American policy to destroy and topple for five Continued on page 2

INSIDE:

p2 | London memorial service and books of condolence for Nelson Mandela

p5 | I’m a child of the mandela dream p16 | Saracens to play the Sharks at Allianz Park

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World mourns loss of Madiba Five Mandela documentaries Continued from front page smaller countries like Djibouti, to watch on British TV Equatorial Guinea and tiny The to destroy and topple for five decades.

The leader of Saharawi, also known as Western Sahara, will be physically present along with the same leaders - notably of Morocco - who deny his country a diplomatic presence at the UN. The queen of talk, Oprah Winfrey, will likewise attend with David Cameron and Robert Mugabe. Prince Charles, future head of one of the most famously reserved families on Earth, will represent his mother The Queen at Sunday’s funeral.

Next-in-line to the throne of absolute monarchies, like Saudi Arabia’s Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz al-Saud will rub shoulders with the world’s largest Communist state in the person of Li Yuanchao, Vice President of China. Mixed in with royalty like Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Queen Rania of Jordan, however, will be many more elected leaders representing nearly every major country on Earth. Africa is especially well-represented, with even

Gambia attending.

South Africa, which tilted so much outward under Mandela and his successor Mbeki, will also welcome global representatives from the UN, the Vatican, the EU and our own Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

British entrepreneur Richard Branson and musicians Peter Gabriel and Bono, all of whom have been long-term supporters of Mandela’s initiatives, will also attend along with the Elders, a group of senior retired statesmen founded by Madiba.

Madiba’s body will lie in state at the Union Buildings Amphitheatre from Wednesday to Friday. Security is necessarily tight, and no cars will be allowed near any major building involved with the event, but shuttles will operate at most sites and public transport will be free on the day.

The world is watching; now it is up to all South Africans to make the send-off worthy of a great life dedicated totally to our liberation.

London memorial service and books of condolence for Nelson Mandela |From placing flowers at the Mandela statue to attending

Wednesday’s memorial service in London, here’s how South Africans in Britain can pay their respects to Nelson Mandela.

BY HEATHER WALKER Books of condolence Members of the public can pay tribute to Nelson Mandela by signing the condolence book at the SA High Commission in London at the public entrance from 9am to 7pm on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 December and from 9am to 4:30pm on Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 December.

A book of condolence has also opened for members of the public to sign at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey.

Further books will open at Coventry Cathedral, the city of peace and reconciliation, and at Leeds Civic Hall, after Mandela

was made a Freeman of Leeds in 2001.

Memorial service at St Martinin-the-Fields Wednesday 11 December 10.30am to 12pm Venue: St Martin-in-the-Fields Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ All are welcome to attend.

Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral St Paul’s Cathedral will hold an evensong service in memory of Mandela at 5pm on Thursday 12 December.

Floral tributes at Mandela statue, Parliament Square You are welcome to lay floral tributes at the statue of Nelson Mandela on Parliament Square, Whitehall.

|Although designed for an international audience, this selection of programmes about Mandela’s life provide some fascinating insights

BY STAFF REPORTER

FOLLOWING the news of Nelson Mandela’s death, British broadcasters have aired a number of programmes focussing on the former South African president’s life and impact, most of which are available online for UK viewers. Here’s a selection (see TheSouthAfrican.com for links for online viewing): Nelson Mandela – His Life and Legacy | ITV. Mark Austin traces Nelson Mandela’s astonishing journey from prisoner to President, visiting the key venues where the story unfolded, and interviews key figures in Mandela’s life.

Nelson Mandela Superstar | Channel 4. Nelson Mandela Superstar shows how Mandela became one of the most celebrated people on the planet, transcending politics and becoming a global superstar. It also looks at the role music played in the fall of apartheid.

Nelson Mandela: One Incredible Life | BBC Three. Every celebrity in the world queued up to be photographed with Nelson Mandela, but what exactly did he do to become such an incredible icon?

In the build-up to the World Cup in South Africa, actress Lenora Crichlow sets off to discover the amazing story of how Mandela brought peace to his country and what he means to people there today.

Tribute to Nelson Mandela | BBC A chance to see Nelson Mandela’s address to Parliament in 1996 and his speech at the unveiling of his statue in Parliament Square in 2007.

The Making of Mandela | Discovery. Told through the words of those closest to Nelson Mandela, this is an intimate portrait of the impassioned freedom fighter, who overcame intense persecution to lead his own nation.

Screening on: Thu 12 December 10pm: Discovery+1. Fri 13 December 11am: Discovery

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What made Nelson Mandela great

| Nelson Mandela was always mindful that his leadership role in the liberation of South Africa from apartheid might not have been possible if he businessman Douw Steyn who had had not been imprisoned.

BY JOHN BATTERSBY “IT is possible that if I had not gone to jail and been able to read and listen to the stories of many people. … I might not have learned these things,” Mandela said of the insights that he gained during his 27 years in jail.

In an interview less than a year after he had stepped down as the country’s first black president, Mandela shared with me reflections of how prison changed him.

He said that reading the biographies of great leaders who had been able to overcome their shortcomings and rise to do great things had inspired him. He said it also helped him to realize that behind every seemingly ordinary person lay the potential of greatness.

“I have been surprised a great deal sometimes when I see somebody who looks less than ordinary, but when you talk to the person and they open their mouths, they are something completely different,” he said.

Mandela said that prison gave him time to think about the times when he had failed to acknowledge people who had been kind to him.

Mandela said that at the height of the struggle against apartheid, he and other leaders were understandably angry at the humiliation and loss of dignity of those who suffered under the unjust policy. It meant their actions were driven by anger and emotion rather than by reflection and consultation.

“But in jail — especially for those who stayed in single cells — you had enough opportunity to sit down and think,” he said.

There was time to listen to the stories of people who were highly

educated and who were widely traveled and experienced. “When they told of their experiences, you felt humbled,” he said.

Mandela said that he had learned that when you had the moral high ground, it was better to sit down and talk to people and persuade them of the correctness of your cause.

“If you have an objective in life, then you want to concentrate on that and not engage in infighting with your enemies,” he said. “You want to create an atmosphere where you can move everybody toward the goal you have set for yourself,” Mandela said.

In his twilight, Mandela was at pains to publish and acknowledge his weaknesses and shortcomings in his family life, in his relationships with women and his first wife, Evelyn. He was keen to dispel any notion of sainthood that might be bestowed on him.

He also spoke increasingly about the importance of changing oneself.

“One of the most difficult things is not to change society — but to change yourself,” Mandela said in 1999 at a tribute to billionaire

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made his Johannesburg residence available to Mandela as a retreat after his prison release in 1990.

Mandela had given similar advice to wife Winnie in a letter written to her in 1981 after she had been jailed by the apartheid regime. Mandela noted that there were qualities “in each one of us” that form the basis of our spiritual life and that we can change ourselves by observing our reactions to the unfolding of life.

The power of Mandela’s leadership was rooted in the fact that at key moments in his life he acted independently of the movement to which he dedicated his life and to which he deferred as a “loyal and obedient” member.

He did so when he decided in 1986 to begin negotiating with his jailers from behind bars not knowing where it would end. He did so in continuing to refer to former President F. W. de Klerk as a “man of integrity” long after it was less popular to do so in the ranks of the African National Congress.

And he did so again when he went out on a limb within his own constituency after his release to support the overwhelmingly white South African rugby team in the World Cup in 1995.

Mandela said that even if he wanted to he could not bind future generations to remember history in a particular way.

The lesson of Mandela’s life is that he has no need to bind anyone to his legacy nor does he need any organization to do so.

His actions in his own lifetime are his legacy and they will remain indelibly etched in history for generations to come as a living example to inspire the leaders of tomorrow.

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Mandela’s ‘Long Walk’ sequel begun in 1998 – now his colleagues will complete it

| Long Walk To Freedom is a book that sits on many South African bookshelves – and in the front rank of testimonies of political change in the 20th century. But what few of the book’s millions of readers may know is that Madiba planned a sequel to his great work, and had begun work on it in 1998. Now colleagues have pitched in to finish it

BY BRETT PETZER LONG Walk To Freedom is a book that sits on many South African bookshelves – and in the front rank of testimonies of political change in the 20th century. But what few of the book’s millions of readers may know is that Madiba planned a sequel to his great work, and had begun work on it in 1998.

The unfinished volume, with a working title of The Presidential Years, contains the freedom fighter’s evolving appraisal of the unique circumstances in which he and his party found themselves. After decades in exile, and after building a political party in exile and under constant attack by the Apartheid state, the ANC transformed itself into a an organisation ready to govern a complicated and divided country alongside a substantial number of Apartheid civil servants.

Reuters reports that the first draft contains some quotations that

may deeply compromise those of the current generation of senior ANC leaders who have grown accustomed to living well on the proceeds of office.

“History never stops to play tricks even with seasoned world-famous freedom fighters…Frequently, erstwhile revolutionaries have easily succumbed to greed and the tendency to divert public resources for personal enrichment ultimately overwhelmed them. By amassing vast personal wealth, and by betraying the noble objectives which made them famous, they virtually deserted the masses of the people and joined the former oppressors, who enriched themselves by mercilessly robbing the poorest of the poor” Mandela wrote in the manuscript.

As the former President and global moral icon lingers in slowly but steadily deteriorating health, the prospect of his ever finishing

the second memoir fades from possibility. To this end, officials from the Mandela Foundation have announced that former comrades and colleagues from Mandela’s time in office had begun collaborating to finish the book with the use of Mandela’s personal papers and archival material.

“It’s a collective work, a project by the people who worked with Mandela in that office,” the offical was quoted by Reuters as saying.

It is certain that, however the book is completed, the publishing world and millions of Long Walk readers will wait impatiently for the publication of a work that includes such Mandela quotations as these: “One issue that deeply worried me in prison was the false image that I unwittingly projected to the outside world; of being regarded as a saint…I never was one even on the basis of an earthly definition of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

The Top 10 inspiring Nelson Mandela Quotes | Some of the most inspiring quotations from South Africa’s beloved former president.

BY GRANT MOWATT AS we reflect on Nelson Mandela’s life, we should take the time to consider the great man’s words of wisdom. Here’s our list of the best Mandela quotes.

“I HAVE fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”- Defence statement during the Rivonia Trial, 1964 “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.

It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” - 90th birthday celebration of Walter Sisulu, Walter Sisulu Hall, Johannesburg,18 May 2002 “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

- Long Walk to Freedom “You sharpen your ideas by reducing yourself to the level of the people you are with and a sense of humour and a complete

relaxation, even when you’re discussing serious things, does help to mobilise friends around you. And I love that.” - From an interview with Tim Couzens, Verne Harris and Mac Maharaj for Mandela: The Authorised Portrait , 2006, 13 August 2005 “I was called a terrorist yesterday, but when I came out of jail, many people embraced me, including my enemies, and that is what I normally tell other people who say those who are struggling for liberation in their country are terrorists. I tell them that I was also a terrorist yesterday, but, today, I am admired by the very people who said I was one.” - Larry King Live, 16 May 2000 “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love

comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” - Long Walk to Freedom.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - University of the Witwatersrand South Africa, 2003 “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” Long Walk to Freedom “Death is something inevitable.

When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.” - From an interview for the documentary Mandela, 1994 “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” - Long Walk to Freedom

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Lala ngoxolo Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. President, hero, father, leader

|“It is only to easy to exalt the virtue of the fallen and raise them to the status of Gods. But to do so would betray the reality of human existence and diminish the reason for which they are truly remarkable. And it would be to forget what ultimately sets such great men apart. It is not that they were God-like which makes them exceptional, it is that they were ordinary, they were human and the showed us what we could be”

BY KAMEEL PREMHID OUR beloved Nelson Mandela is no more. While intellectually many have us have prepared ourselves for the inevitable fate that is human demise, the reality that is the death of the Father of the Nation is something that is still so moving.

At a time like this there are undoubtedly many questions. To them I can offer no answers. But, in a selfish act, all I can do is write.

In this, a cathartic act, I hope that I can out many of the questions that I struggle with. And in so doing work towards an answer that may bring some closure.

At a time like this, what does one think? Does one eulogise or commemorate or immortalise?

To those tasks I cannot rise adequately. To try and capture the majesty of a life so humbly but profoundly lived is a task for others – not me. Rather, it is upon such a great life that I reflect and ask of myself what will my contribution be?

For a person of colour, in the new South Africa, this is not a value-free judgment. Many will ask, especially in the run-up to the election, am I betraying Tata’s legacy, and that of so many others, by ‘abandoning’ the movement which gave us freedom?

In the emotional headiness of grief, all rationality and justification is forgotten. All that exists is human vulnerability and feeling. And for many, the answer to that question will be yes.

But I take a different view. The legacy that I inherit from Madiba, from Tambo, from Sisulu, from Eglin, from Suzman, from the ordinary man and the ordinary woman, is that I am who I am. I shall not be defined by the colour of my skin nor the creed to which I abide. I shall be valued by my individual worth and judged by my own merit. This is a world in which we are only to ready to compartmentalise and label – and it is a temptation that I must seek to rise above.

It is only to easy to exalt the virtue of the fallen and raise them to the status of Gods. But to do so would betray the reality of human existence and diminish the reason for which they are truly remarkable. And it would be to forget what ultimately sets such great men apart. It is not that they were God-like which makes them exceptional, it is that they were ordinary, they were human and the showed us what we could be.

A life of sacrifice like that of Mandela’s, is a life not lived in vain. It is testament to human endeavour, sacrifice, struggle and

triumph. The life Mandela lives teaches us not to accept what is unjust but to commit ourselves, and all that we enjoy, to bettering that of our fellow man. In the pursuit of the noble cause that is justice will we find salvation, not only on this world but in the hereafter: in the solemnity of knowing that we lived our lives for something greater than ourselves.

To be away from home at a time like this moves me in ways that I shall only come to fully understand in time. But as I sit here in England, I know more than ever that I am South African. My heart bleeds with yours, your tears run down my cheeks, your sadness pervades my being. We are united in our grief – not only with our fellow countrymen but the people of the world. It is my sincere hope that though it is grief that brings us together, we shall move beyond it together too. For Madiba lived to create unity and it is only right that

in his death he unite us once again.

The legacy that we are left is enormous. But we can only honour it in rising to the challenge of leaving the world better than Madiba did when he departed.

Lala ngoxolo Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. President,

hero, father, leader.

- Kameel Premhid, B.A., LL.B (UKZN) MPhil Candidate (International Relations), University of Oxford Rhodes Scholar (KwaZulu-Natal & Lady Margaret Hall 2013) @kameelpremhid

the privileged ones, we chaffed at the separation, the secrecy, the insincerity and the cussed arrogance of our so-called Christian leaders.

But in my lifetime, from a distance, I became aware of this person that had been there all along while I was growing up, but had been silenced by my birth land’s leaders. This person who was willing to sacrifice everything to bring about the changes that he knew were the only way to justice and dignity for his people. Instead of escaping, he stayed; instead of succumbing, he survived. Instead of promising vengeance, he promoted peace; instead of retribution, reconciliation. Instead of exclusion, we were all, white and black and in between, invited back to the table; and instead of separation, the hallmark of apartheid, he made everyone want to belong. He was strong, and he was gentle; he was serious and he was humorous; he liked sports and animals, and he cuddled children.

Madiba walked down the streets of freedom, after 27 years of incarceration, firing words of peace not weapons of revenge. He spoke of rainbows and hope and of brotherhood and bravery, courage and calm. He became a leader, not just the first, democratically elected SA leader, but a moral light in an ash-laden landscape. But never mind what he did for his country; for the continent and for the world; what he did for me - a woman of nothing special to note besides an objecting conscience.

For that I am grateful and consoled.

I can’t always believe it, because the world likes to tell us it’s not possible, but then I remember his covenant with us all at his inauguration: “Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all.

Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement! Let freedom reign.”

“We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

And for this, if not for anything else, I care; and I want my children to care, and the world to carry the torch. Don’t ever say it can’t be done, or that it just won’t work; don’t let’s say it’s over and just turn out the light. Mandela turned it on for us, despite us; let’s thank him with our commitment to keep it burning, long into the lives of our children’s children, and their children too.

So this is why I cry.

Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika

You ask me why I cry

BY GILL BAXTER BOSONETTO

YOU ask me why I cry, a white South African, born and raised during the apartheid era, exiled during some of the worst years of anti-apartheid conflict, and then repatriated in 1990, but now living once again in the United States of America.

I am comfortable, am blessed with great friends, family, and a safe, welcoming community. I live in a place of prosperity and progress, and for the most part, a place trying to practice within a paradigm of equality and justice for all. But really, I am weak, fallible, small, selfish, and I am stubborn; I am often wrong, and thoughtless, and prejudiced against particular things.

Hence I feel puny and pathetic, and guilty, graceless and greedy.

Growing up we knew something was wrong with our world, but we didn’t know if there was a peaceful way forward, into something greater and brighter. What we knew was only an environment of ‘state of emergency’ year after year, and a border war, and internal injustice and conflict, and useless voting powers, barriers, gag orders, unlimited detentions and deaths.

Police dogs, Caspars, MK-47s, rubber bullets, tear gas, landmines and grenades were our common language, and names like The Freedom Charter, ANC, Biko, Woods, Paton, Tutu and Botha were all said in hushed tones, in case your tapped phone lines were active, or one of your party was a spy. And even though we white folk were

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SA Business Awards 2013

BY CAROL FREEMAN

OVER 150 of some of the most influential business professionals in London gathered at Dexter House last Thursday for this year’s annual South African Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. The event, which seeks to recognise excellence in business leadership, and the promote trade between the United Kingdom and South Africa, was held at the iconic Royal Mint in London. The winners for 2013 were: Business Leader of the Year: Mark Jankovich; Entrepreneur of the Year: Karine Torr; Innovator of the Year: Mark Warren; Rising Star of the Year: Kurt Won and Woman in Business of the Year: Sharon Constancon.

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THIS Christmas marks five months since The Savanna opened its doors at Paddington Station, giving Saffas in the capital one more way to bring a taste of home to their tables this festive season.

The brands that simply make it Christmas - from Ouma rusks to extra-hot Mrs Balls - are closer than you think: the trusted Savanna brand also has shops in Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Southfields, London Bridge, Liverpool Street, Victoria Station.

For many of us, online shopping is an important way of keeping the silly season manageable. The Savanna have taken e-commerce to heart, with a truly wellconceived, simple and inviting online presence that dispatches around 10,000 orders a week over 70 per cent of which are from regular customers.

Even the most homesick can find something to cheer about in the surprising depth and breadth of TheSavanna.co.uk’s offering, whether it is the extensive selection of droëwors and biltong or a mix of premium and popular South African wines.

“The Savanna’s vision for the New Year is to concentrate on building [our] community through customer feedback via our newsletter, Facebook, Twitter and personal interaction in our stores” says Lisa Gardshol, Managing Director of The Savanna.

Gardshol encourages The

Savanna customers to share recipes, holiday picks and the ups and downs of UK expatriate life that have made The Savanna something much more like a village general dealer’s filled with regulars than an urban supermarket. This is The Savanna difference, and Gardshol aims to reward the people who make the store feel like home with special events in the near future.

Gardshol also adds that The Savanna is also leveraging its brand and its large customer base for good causes by giving back to the community by supporting a wide range of charity organisations. Their partnership with FoodBankSA stretches back four years and their partnership with the Nelson Mandela Fund has never been more relevant.

Sports sponsorship has also been important to The Savanna team from the first, as their sponsorship of the nationally top-ranked Canterbury Ladies’ First Hockey Team and Wimbledon’s Men’s First Team shows.

Gardshol hopes that the Savanna community will continue to share news and views on the Savanna’s social media - whether it’s about a great potjie with proper South African ingredients or local events for expats. “Many of our customers are expats who want that connection with home and this is what we offer at Savanna” says Gardshol.

Visit www.thesavanna.co.uk

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OPTIMIST

KAREN DE VILLIERS

DOING a Bridget Jones tonight.

Just polished a pack of chips (sorry crisps) and a tub of Guacamole, now I just feel like a tick on the couch. The Christmas tree is half done and the fairy lights draped on the balcony to light some wary traveller on their way home. The blood is infused with Christmas Spirit.

Who would have thought that I would fall for the Christmas jumper, the pj’s and a night in with Christmas 24 channel? London does Christmas like no other; seen the lights on Sloane Square, the tree in Berkley Square and pretty, oh so pretty Oxford street? Every shop window is a work of art – even the advertisements have me wiping a tear and feeling the goosebumps.

Schmaltz overdose. I will forgive you the ‘onesie’ if you simply cannot resist.

Last night, having dinner at another magical restaurant in St Christopher’s place, a homeless man, pushing a trolley, approached our table outside. Oh yeah, sitting outside with the smart heaters warm as toast. He was wearing a Father Christmas hat with flashing lights – at odds with his tattered clothes. ‘ Hello love. I am not asking for a handout.’ He said. ‘Just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.’

Off he went, wishing every one the same, asking nothing, giving me something so valuable. A Christmas wish. And I loved the hat!

There are many who will be alone this Christmas. Many how have family living far away? No family at all? It can be a lonely time, a difficult time when money is scarce and the cold a cheerless place to be. The man with the trolley was probably moving his house on those wheels. I read somewhere that loneliness was the biggest killer over the holiday season, not sure that was correct but I can imagine

it may be. In any case, Mr. Trolley with the flashing Christmas lights brought, not a downer to my mood, but a sobering thought. Christmas Spirit can only be real if you share it with others.

Like the Elves and the Shoemaker.

Do something good behind the scenes. Visit a shelter or donate some clothes. Foodbank, one of many excellent charity organisations, are selling South African themed Christmas decorations. Volunteer to work for a few hours at a soup Kitchen.

Honour your granny or grandpa and offer an hour to chat to an elderly person. The list is endless, Victims from Thailand to Tembisa could do with a little input from you.

This is the one time of the year when we get to be silly and super festive. Find the child in you on the ice rink or at Winter Wonderland. I am in love with good cheer and red cups, with reindeer and puddings and pies. Knowing that I can make someone feel special, even if they never know who I am, will make this Bridget Jones season, turkey curry and all.

Send money to Africa this Christmas So your loved ones can join the celebrations Send online today at

moneygram.co.uk

0800 026 0535 moneygram.co.uk

*

Send at:

And anywhere you see the MoneyGram sign *Sends to Nigeria not available online. Post Office, Thomas Cook, Lebara, Speedy Cash and Moneycorp are agents of MoneyGram International Limited in the provision of money transfer services. MoneyGram, the Globe and MoneyGram Bringing You Closer are marks of MoneyGram. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trade marks of the Post Office Ltd. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. MoneyGram International Limited is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. © 2013 MoneyGram. All right reserved.

CS7622

Christmas at the Savanna

CS7622_xmas_africa_press_ad_340x263_P_en_v2_aw.indd 1

22/11/2013 16:07

10

Business

| 10 - 16 December 2013 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

UK office of South African children’s charity seeks a new Executive Director

| The existing executive director Becky Hughes tells us more about the role...

AFRIKA Tikkun UK raises funds to support the work of Afrika Tikkun, an award winning child development charity in South Africa providing community based education and health care programmes for underprivileged children in the townships. The charity has been through a period of significant growth over the last five years and now reaches over 17,000 beneficiaries.

The UK office is seeking an

Executive Director with vision and flair to deliver fundraising and marketing activities as well as oversee finances. Together with the Board of Directors you will develop and deliver a strategy for the next five years in line with the aims and objectives of the charity.

The role is very varied.

Candidates must demonstrate experience in fundraising from major donors, trusts, corporates and communities

as well as running fundraising and networking events and e-marketing campaigns. You also need to manage the day to day running of an office, maintain a CRM database and report back on income and expenditure.

The office has the support of an administrator one day a week who keeps records of income and expenditure, maintains the database and sends thank you letters.

Afrika Tikkun is a unique charity. As Executive Director for the past 6 years I have witnessed the incredible health and education programmes they provide for vulnerable children and their families. I’ve met thousands of their beneficiaries and personally witnessed the transformation of some of them into proud and empowered South Africans. I’ve seen four new community centres built and watched their beneficiary numbers

rise from 5,000 to 17,000.

It has been an honour to be involved with a charity who’s patron was Nelson Mandela.

Their work will always remain a testament to his spirit of Ubunthu - The belief that no matter who we are we can all do something to enable the community around us to improve. I am proud to have been a part of his legacy.

To apply lease send your CV and cover letter to beckyh@afrikatikkun.org

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South Africans have been in reflection on the values of Nelson Mandela, who died last Thursday aged 95, as SA prepared for an influx of at least 59 world leaders for the memorial services to be held this week. Preparations are now under way for one of the largest and high-profile burials in recent history, with heads of state and dignitaries expected to descend on South Africa from across the globe to mourn the passing of the country’s first democratic president. Topping the bill will be US president Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, as well as three former US presidents — Jimmy Carter, George W Bush and Bill Clinton, and their wives.

News has been dominated by stories surrounding Mandela’s passing and it is notable to see that there has been a lack of negative ZAR reaction around the issue despite those expecting a Zimbabwe type reaction to unfold on the Rand.

The Rand is expected to show an on-going weakness in the market this week even though it has gained

some strength since Friday. The ZAR closed out on 17.17 GBP/ZAR last week Friday and has gained a fair bit opening out on 16.93 GBP/ ZAR this morning. Only time will see which way the Rand sways.

We see the release of Japanese Gross Domestic Product data and other important Chinese data this week which may be market indicators because of the economic implications this will have on trade markets.

GBP / ZAR: 16.87, EUR / ZAR: 14.13, USD / ZAR: 10.31, NZD / ZAR: 8.54. Exchange rates as of 8:01 (GMT), 09 December 2013. :: Note: The above exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates.

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11

thesouthafrican.com | 10 - 16 December 2013 |

Business

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Autumn Statement 2013: Expert analysis | Chancellor George Osborne gave his much-anticipated Autumn Statement last week. Our Accounting team

have provided their expert insight into the speech, and how it might affect you.

BY KEITH VAN DER LINDE FROM a certain perspective, the Chancellor’s tenure has boiled down to this very moment. He has been tasked with navigating the UK through an economic slump that no British Chancellor in recent memory has had to face.

Though some may have hoped for more rapturous announcements by the young Conservative, Osborne’s speech adroitly navigated calls for increasing spending in light of recent gains. These giveaways, which our Accounting team detail below, were tempered by post-recession clawbacks. Focus remains very much on reducing the enormous deficit the UK still faces.

Pertinent announcements: The Personal Allowance will increase to £10,000 in April 2014 From April 15, the Personal Allowance (of up to £1000) will be transferable amongst spouses Employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will be removed in respect of employees under 21 years of age from April 2015 The anticipated rise in fuel duty has been cancelled The average increase in regulated rail fares for 2014 has been capped in line with the Retail Prices Index State Pension is set to rise £2.95 per week The State Pension age will be raised to 66 in 2020 in line with general increases in life expectancy; legislation will be introduced to raise this even higher

to 67 from the year 2028 From April 2015, non-resident landlords who sell property in the UK will be subject to UK Capital Gains Tax (even if they pay Capital Gains Tax in their own countries) A reduction of the automatic main residence exemption applicable to the final 36 months of ownership where this overlaps with another main residence. The period has been reduced to 18 months from April 2014 With immediate effect from 5th December 2013, new antiavoidance rules concerning tax-motivated profit allocations will apply to partnerships where partners or members include a non-individual (commonly a company).

In the words of Roger Bootle, Managing Director of Capital Economics, “I was expecting George Osborne to have the grin of a Cheshire cat but he didn’t.

Admittedly, for a while he sounded a bit like Gordon Brown in his pomp, with boasts about the UK being the fastest-growing member of the G7.”

To be fair, there was an element of measured brazenness in Osborne’s speech as he lauded his party’s gains, supported heavily by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). These gains underlined the relative progress the UK is making in comparison to its major trading partners from across the North Sea – and even the Atlantic. But they also underscore the risks posed to the UK from

abroad, much of which stem from the weakness of its Eurozone trading partners.

“I can report that Britain is currently growing faster than any other major advanced economy.

Faster than France, which is contracting. Faster than Germany, faster even than America.”

As expected, business relief was a major focus of Osborne’s speech.

Corporation tax rates and small company tax rates will remain the same, while future increases in business rates have been capped at 2%.

“Mr Speaker, there is one group of businesses that have found the recession especially hard – as it has coincided with a rising challenge from the internet that is only getting stronger. These are our local retailers – the shops, the pubs and the cafes that make up our high streets across Britain,” said Osborne.

Entrepreneurs and SMEs will be relieved to hear that business rate relief has been extended to small companies – a timely announcement by Osborne that coincides with Small Business Saturday this weekend.

“I want the government to do all it can to help them. To get the vacant shops that blight too many town centres to open again, I am introducing a new reoccupation relief that will halve the rates for new occupants…for the next two years every retail premise in England with a rateable value of up to £50,000 will get a discount on their business rates.”

Young parents were given some

New rules for UK Armed Forces Family came into effect on 1 December 2013 THE UK Home Office has announced in November 2013 that new revised rules affecting members of the HM Armed Forces and their families will come into effect on 1 December 2013. The rules are being amended in order to bring the Armed Forces family rules in line with the UK Family Immigration rules.

From 1 December 2013 the following rules will apply; Members of the HM Forces who wish to sponsor non-EEA dependants to enter or stay in the UK will have to meet a minimum income threshold of £18,600 for a partner, £22,400 for a partner and child and £2,400 for every additional child.

All non-EEA partners seeking leave to enter or remain in the UK as a dependant of a HM Forces, will have to meet a basic English language requirement at A1 level of the CEFR. In order to qualify for settlement in the UK, all children and non-

EEA partners, who are between the ages of 18 and 64, will be required to pass the Life in the UK test, and hold an intermediate English language requirement at B1 level of the CEFR. The non-EEA partners of HM Forces personnel who are granted leave will have to serve a 5-year probationary period before being able to apply for settlement.

There will be greater flexibility to make applications overseas, and Time spent overseas on an accompanied posting will be regarded as time spent in the UK for the purpose of calculating the residence requirement for settlement.

The UK Home Office further said that in line with the current approach currently taken in respect of Family Migration rules, cases where the minimum income threshold is not being met, the case will be put on hold, pending the outcome of the appeal at the Courts.

Please read more about this appeal

elsewhere on our News page.

Please also note that transitional arrangements will apply to family members who already hold valid leave as a dependant. Special provision will also be made for persons who fall to be dealt with under the new rules due to an accompanied posting overseas which prevented them from submitting an application before 1 December 2013.

Please speak to one of our consultants for more information about the transitional arrangements and special provisions in your unique situation.

JP Breytenbach Director of BIC, Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Limited. www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com

brief airtime in Osborne’s speech, and will be happy to know that tax-free childcare and meals will be introduced in schools. In particular, free school meals will be provided for all infant school pupils in Reception, Year One and Year Two. A new tax-free childcare scheme will also be rolled out, supporting up to 2.5 million working families with 20% of their childcare costs.

Scott Brown, Managing Director of Sable Accounting, identifies ‘responsible recovery’ as the key phrase in this year’s Autumn Statement.

“The Autumn Statement was fairly neutral, with the giveaways we see being countered by the clawbacks needed after the global recession,” said Brown.

The UK’s deficit still remains large – approximately 7% of its GDP by reliable estimates.

Having said that, the 1.4%

growth in GDP identified by the Chancellor in yesterday’s Statement is a confident revision from the 0.6% predicted in March earlier this year. The fact that the forecast for next year has been increased from 1.8% to 2.4% is a positive sign that economic conditions are improving, albeit slowly.

Time will tell how yesterday’s Statement affects entrepreneurs, contractors and SMEs in the UK, but for now, small businesses will be happy to know that relief is available.

1st Contact Accounting gives forward-thinking individuals the tools to steer their business affairs forward. If you’re interested in setting up a limited company with us, call 0808 141 2341 (free call within the UK) or email accountinginfo@1stcontact.com..

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12

Business: Classifieds

| 10 - 16 December 2013 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

SERVICES

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Get our “readers 10% EXTRA FREE” offer by using the VOUCHER CODE ‘SA10’ SUSMAN’S BEST BEEF BILTONG CO LTD If you’re missing home give us a call, supplying you with all your favourite South African products and more. Phone: 01273 516160 Fax: 01273 51665 Web:www.biltong.co.uk Email:sales@biltong.co.uk CHICHESTER BILTONG COMPANY BILTONG doesn’t get any better than this !

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SAVANNA Good friendly customer service is Savanna’s core principle. Our standards are high, and our rapidly-expanding network of shops are clean and bright and well-laid out, with friendly first-rate staff. Find us at: 20-22 Worple Road, Wimbledon London SW19 4DH Call us at: 0208 971 9177 Online: www.thesavanna.co.uk wimshop@thesavanna.co.uk BILTONG DIRECT Biltong Direct, in the business of making superior South African meat products since 2004. Online or from our shop (directions on website – www.biltongdirect.co.uk). Retail and wholesale sales.

We manufacture Biltong, Droewors, Snap Sticks, Boerewors & Gluten and MSG free products, offer quick dispatch and a 100% Satisfaction guarantee. Call 01268-685728 CAMBRIDGE & VILLAGES Toft Shop – Village Shop & Post Office With a South African section selling all your favourite tastes from home! Pop in and pick up your treats – Biltong; Boerewors; Koeksisters; Rusks; Sweets; Chips; Groceries etc. Web: www.

ToftShop.co.uk Tel: 01223 262 204. CB23 2RL

ST MARCUS One of the most amazing emporia the capital offers to the carnivorous gourmet. People have been flocking to St. Marcus for their amazing range of Biltong & Boerewors Visit us at: 1-3 Rockingham Close, Priory Lane, off Upper Richmond Road West, Roehampton, London SW15 5RW Call us at: 0208 878 1898 Online: www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk sales@biltongstmarcus.co.uk

THE AFRICAN CORNER Three miles off Junction 26 of the M5 in the centre of Wellington, Somerset, TA21 8LS. A family run business for your Padkos. Biltong, Boerewors, Droewors, Rusks and other Nik Naks. Pull in if you’re in the West Country or find us online at www.theafricancorner.co.uk and we’ll come to you.

Email: theafricancorner@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 01823 619184 NO1 SOUTH AFRICAN SHOP Lots of lekker stuff for a taste of home. Including fantastic biltong, droewors and boerewors. 5 Marlow Drive, St Catherines Hill, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2RR. The shop is about 2 miles north-west of Christchurch town centre and 6 miles north-east of Bournemouth town centre. There’s loads of free parking and the shop is easy to get to from the A338.

Tel: 01202 496041 10’ish to 6pm 7 days a week. www.no1southafricanshop.co.uk

THE SPRINGBOK CAFÉ The Springbok Café offers traditional South African food, wine and beers served with a smile in a friendly atmosphere. All this plus the option to grab your favourite S.A. groceries before you leave after relaxing and kuierring with us for a while.

The Springbok Café` Ltd, 1 East Reach, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3EN, 01823 254966,thespringbokcafe.co.uk

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KALAHARI MOON The Southern African Shop in Bristol.

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LIMPOPO BUTCHERS We believe in small, well run family businesses, where quality is the number one priority. Come and try our delicious traditional recipe biltong, drywors, and boerewors, as well as aged beef steaks, chicken flatties, and succulent lamb.

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SHEBEEN BAR Edinburgh’s only South African bar has opened in Leith. A unique, stylish bar with something for everyone,delivered by experience and friendly staff. As expected we stock a large range of South African beers, wines, ciders and snacks, including a classic selection of cocktails and Dom Pedros.

Opening hours are from 12pm to 1am. Come down and enjoy a true taste of Africa.

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FOODS4YOU Whether you like to create an incentive program for your employees or corporate gifts at special times or throughout the year.

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WWTS CAN OFFER:  Administer and enforce laws of taxation within the UK and Internationally  Advice and consult on all matters of taxation  Accountancy Services and Formation of companies  20 years South African tax experience

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13

thesouthafrican.com | 10 - 16 December 2013 |

Travel

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Game of Scotland Thrones | Monsters, castles, drinking, horseback riding and gun firing, a trip to Scotland is like entering a fantasy world set against the most beautiful backdrop.

BY JACQUI MORONEY ON a beautiful autumn Saturday in early November, hubby and I spent the entire day with friends travelling towards The North; first on the 8.30am train from Kings Cross and then, via hire car, to a tiny village called Kilconquhar in the county of Fife. We were about 90 minutes drive north east of Edinburgh, and in the beautiful Scottish countryside, a getaway sponsored by our friends with a time-share villa (thank you Ala and Steve). We made it to our comfortable villa just in time to have a rare quiet Saturday night in over a glass of scotch whiskey and a pizza.

The Kilconquhar Castle Estate is a large family resort situated 15 minutes drive from St Andrews.

It offers self-catering villas, cottages and apartments, and a leisure centre equipped with a swimming pool, snooker tables and a games room as well as putting greens, a driving range and a tennis court. The grounds boast rolling green hills just moments from the North Sea and the castle itself provides a beautiful backdrop for any family

holiday, cheeky romantic getaway or a group of friends after some adventure. This time, we were the latter.

Of Monsters and Men Sunday morning saw us heading north on a rural road in the hunt for monsters. Admiring the beautiful autumn countryside on the three hour drive, we by-passed Perth and Inverness and continued to drive down the east bank of the Loch Ness.

Loch Ness is a large freshwater loch located in the Scottish Highlands about 167 miles (270km) from Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. The cold, murky Loch stretches southwest for 23 miles (37km) from Inverness and is best known for alleged sightings of the (mythical) Loch Ness Monster, known affectionately as Nessie.

In our little Fiat we crawled along the east bank, stumbling upon a fantastic photo opportunity of the stunning Loch in all its glory and a small waterfall. The beautiful greens, reds, oranges and yellows of autumn had provided an incredible backdrop to what must be one of the most scenic routes

in the world. After we posed for awkward selfies and announced to the world via Facebook of our current location, we backtracked to Inverness to explore the west bank of the great Loch.

A Scotsman’s home is his Castle One mile past Drumnadrochit we came across the ruins of Urquhart Castle along the west bank of Loch Ness. Dating from the 13th and 16th centuries, the castle had a history of raids and destruction until 1692 when it was left to decay. Urquhart Castle was one of the largest, and is one of the most beautiful castles in all of Scotland. The impressive stronghold boasts a brilliant view from the Grant Tower battlements, and visitors are able to scramble over the remains of the gatehouse, chapel and hall with the scenic Loch Ness backdrop. It is no wonder that now, more than 300 years after it was deserted, it is also one of the most visited castles in Scotland.

Urquhart Castle is 174 miles/ 280km from Edinburgh. It is open until 6pm April – September but closes earlier during winter months. Last entry is one hour before closing time. Entry is £7.90 per adult/ £4.80 per child.

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Zimbabwe Community

| 10 - 16 December 2013 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

Thabo Mbeki claims UK asked him 100 die in Zim prisons to help in plot to invade Zimbabwe due to food shortages | South Africa’s former president says he was put under pressure to cooperate in a military invasion of Zimbabwe by the last Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, who planned to topple Robert Mugabe by force.

BY ALISON MONDAY THABO MBEKI has revealed that the previous British Labour government aimed to remove Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe from power using military intervention.

He claims that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair appealed to South Africa to help, but Mbeki’s government refused.

“There is a retired chief of the British Armed Forces who said he had to withstand pressure from then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, who was saying to the chief of the British Armed Forces: “You must work out a military plan so that we can physically remove Robert Mugabe””, he said in an interview with al-Jazeera.

“We knew that, because we had come under the same pressure, that we needed to cooperate in some scheme- it was a regime change scheme- even to the point of using military force, and we were saying “No.”” Lord Charles Guthrie, who was Chief of the Defence Staff and Britain’s most senior solider throughout Blair’s first government, was quoted in 2007 in some sections of the British media as saying that “people were always trying to get me to look at” ending Mugabe and the Zanu-PF’s reign by force.

Guthrie evidently declined to

take any proposals seriously, stating at the time that his advice was: “Hold hard, you’ll make it worse.”

Rejected interference on principle Mbeki explained that he rejected attempts by the West to interfere in the affairs of African nations on principle.

“You are coming from London, you don’t like Robert Mugabe for whatever reason – people in London don’t like him – and we are going to remove him and we are going to put someone else in his place? Why does it become British responsibility to decide who leads the people of Zimbabwe?” asked Mbeki.

“We were saying no. Let Zimbabweans sit down. Let them agree what they do with their country. Our task is to make sure we stay with them. We work with them.”

Negotiations The former South African president told how he believes global conflicts such as those in Zimbabwe and Syria can only ever be resolved through negotiated settlements, rather than heavy-handed regime changes.

Throughout Mbeki’s presidency, South Africa and Britain disagreed about how best to handle Mugabe. “The problem was, we were speaking from different positions,” he revealed.

“There were other people saying: “There are political problems, economic problemsthe best way to solve them is regime change. Mugabe must go.” But we said: “Mugabe is part of the solution to this problem.””

The South African government helped to broker the now defunct power-sharing agreement between Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in 2008.

Plots In 2001 and 2002, Mugabe repeatedly accused Britain of plotting to overthrow him and recolonize Zimbabwe.

These claims came after Blair condemned Mugabe’s regime following the increased violence and rise of hyperinflation in the country during this period.

However, on a visit to South Africa in 2007, despite defending his interventionist policy, Blair admitted that he welcomed Mbeki’s diplomacy strategy.

Speaking at a press conference at the time he declared: “The solution is an African solution for Zimbabwe,” adding that Britain would “put [it’s] efforts behind the process which President Mbeki has laid out.”

In response to Mbeki’s recent claims, a spokesman for Blair said: “Tony Blair has long believed that Zimbabwe would be much better off without Robert Mugabe and always argued for a tougher stance against him, but he never asked anyone to plan or take part in any such military intervention.”

BY NICÓL GROBLER

MORE than 100 Zimbabwean prisoners have died in 2013 due to food shortages caused by a lack of funds, a rights group said on Tuesday.

Zimbabwean justice and prison service officials claimed the cause of death was “owing to nutritionrelated illnesses induced by food shortages and natural causes.”

The rights group said, quoting Virginia Mabhiza, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and ZPSC Deputy Commissioner Agrey Machingauta, “food stock-outs had reached precarious levels owing to a shortage of financial resources to purchase food rations for the country’s prison population which stands at 18 460 inmates.” $1,2 million is required to purchase monthly food rations but correctional services and prisons are only allocated $300 000, this results in inmates not being able to have three meals per day, which has inevitably escalated into a serious lack of nutrition amongst prisoners.

Throughout 2007 and 2008 hunger and disease hit Zimbabwean prisons, during the height of the country’s economical crisis, and according to individual rights

groups prisoners were dying every day, up to eight prisoners per day.

MPC-T legislator and shadow minister, Jessi Majome said she was appalled at these numbers stating that the report is reminiscent of the humanitarian disaster experienced in 2007 and 2008.

Machingauta disclosed that 36 prisoners had since January escaped from lawful custody while eight had been apprehended once again.

Mabhiza added that 77 children are currently held in the country’s prisons and the ZPCS was relying on well-wishers who were providing financial and material support for their upkeep.

Majome said, “It is a great conern that the prisons services is constantly broke and prisoners constantly facing starvation despite the department owning farms where they can grow food up to the point of being self-sustaining.”

“The prevailing conditions are a serious human rights concern and if, as a country, we cannot look after vulnerable members such as prisoners, then that speaks volumes about how far we still have to go towards civilisation,” Majome said.

There have also been reports of fuel shortages to transport prisoners to their court appearances.

| Zimbabwean prisoners suffering from starvation in 2008.

15

thesouthafrican.com | 10 - 16 December 2013 |

Sport

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SA boxing legend ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala passes away | The world’s shortest boxing champion, South Africa’s

Baby Jake Matlala, whose fortunes were closely followed

by Nelson Mandela, died on Saturday after a long illness.

Active Touch Leagues

BY TRACY ANDREW

GAME number 1 was Tumeke vs Look, Don’t Touch. Look, Don’t Touch gave it their best to defend as well as score some great touchdowns, but it just wasn’t enough as Tumeke won the game 20 - 2. Game number 2 was Shake n Bake taking on Canary Dwarfs.

Canary Dwarfs started off very slow and this meant they let Shake n Bake get ahead of them with a few touchdowns. Shake n Bake took advantage and got themselves a good lead by the halfway point.

Shake n Bake won the game with the final score being 19 - 10.

Tuesday, 3rd December at The Wandle Recreation Centre in Wandsworth.

Pimp My Side took on Dark Matter last night and it was a very tight game. Even though it was really close for most of the game Dark Matter just had a more in their tank as they edged past Pimp My Side to win the match 13 - 9. Next up was the club clash, Hot Custard vs Hot Custard Jagermaestros in an epic battle to see which of their teams will come out on top. The game was a great spectacle with lots of touchdowns and some fast paced action, although in the end it was too close to get 1 winner as the game ended in a draw, 13 - 13.

Thursday, 5th December at the Wandsworth League.

First game of the evening was BBR London vs Hot Custard, which started off very tight with

both teams defending like crazy.

BBR London managed to break through the defence and score touchdowns, but Hot Custard would come straight back with their own touchdowns. The players were giving it their all with some players diving for touchdowns, which is not recommended on a basketball court. BBR London won the game 18 - 9 but the game seemed much closer than the score suggests. Next up was Hot Custard Jagermaestros taking on Beer Swilling Vikings in a very social game with all the players having lots of fun while playing this match. Beer Swilling Vikings didn’t have all their players there on the night but still managed to put up a fight against Hot Custard Jagermaestros and made them have to work for their touchdowns.

It was a farewell for one of Hot Custard Jagermaestros, Taryn Linnan who is going over to work in Chamonix for the ski season.

It was a good atmosphere and everyone was in great spirits, with Hot Custard Jagermaestros winning 19 - 2.

With the end of the league nearing the teams are getting eager to see who will be in the much anticipated finals in 2 weeks’ time.

If anyone is interested in entering a team or even entering as an individual for our 2014 Winter Active Touch Leagues then please feel free to email tracy@in2touch. com or you can have a look at our website for some more information, www.in2touch.com

BY STAFF REPORTER South African boxer Jacob ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala, the shortest world champion whose fortunes were closely followed by former president, the late Nelson Mandela, died on Saturday at the age of 51 at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

The former World Boxing Organisation, World Boxing Union and International Boxing Association, who retired because he said he had “run out of small people to fight”, had suffered from poor health and money problems in recent years. Benefactors raised

funds to pay his medical bills and other debts.

Matlala had been admitted to hospital on numerous occasions over the past few years with complications related to pneumonia.

Born on 1 August 1962 Meadowlands, Johannesburg, the 1.47 metre tall light-flyweight champion was a potent symbol of reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.

With a total of 68 fights (53 wins and 2 draws), he ended his career with four world championships.

Matlala won titles under three different sanctioning bodies

over his 22-year career, the last of which, at the age of 42 was watched ringside by Mandela and Hollywood actor Will Smith on on 3 March 2002.

A seventh-round stoppage win over Juan Herrera to retain his WBU junior flyweight title was a fitting end to an illustrious career that has earned Matlala legendary status in South African boxing. He presented his WBU belt to keen boxer and boxing fan Mandela after his fight.

His record, falling at one stage to 22 wins, one draw and seven losses, finished up at 52 victories, two draws and 12 losses.

SPORT

10 - 16 December 2013

ACTIVE TOUCH LEAGUES - P15

‘BABY JAKE’ MATLALA PASSES AWAY - P15

NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS

www.thesouthafrican.com

SARACENS TO PLAY THE SHARKS AT ALLIANZ PARK

| Saracens will play South African rugby team, The Sharks, at Allianz Park on Saturday 25 January, 2014 THE match between the Premiership leaders and the Currie Cup champions will present a rare opportunity to assess the relative strengths of club rugby in the northern and southern hemisphere.

Mark McCall, Director of Rugby, said: “Our players will enjoy the challenge presented by a full-strength Sharks team, packed with Springboks like Bismarck du Plessis and Francois Steyn, and it’s sure to be a fantastic rugby occasion at Allianz Park.”

John Smit, CEO of the Sharks, said: “It will be a wonderful experience for our players to travel to London and play at Allianz Park. The match is a crucial part of our preparations for the new Super XV season and it will also be the first match in charge for our new coach, Jake White.”

The match has been approved

by SA Rugby, and will be presented for approval by the RFU Board next week.

It will be a busy weekend for the north London club. Saracens will host Newcastle Falcons in an LV=Cup match at Allianz Park the following day, on Sunday 26 January. McCall added: “It will be all hands to the pump. The LV=Cup is very important to us

- we’ve won both pool matches so far - and we’re confident the squad will cope with the twin challenge.”

The Sharks match is not included in the 2013/14 Saracens season ticket, but season-ticket holders will have preferential booking for this match until 21h00 on Saturday 14 December, with a 25% discount on normal prices. Seasonal hospitality customers will be contacted separately. General sales will open at 09h00 on Sunday 15 December.

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| LONDON: The match between the Priemiership leaders and the Currie Cup champions is set to be a legendary match, it will be an epic battle between the Sharks and Saracens.

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